What is Crataegus?
Crataegus is a genus of plants that is part of the Rosaceae family. It contains 200 and 1,000 species depending on the classification system used to describe plants. Most of them are deciduous trees or shrubs that come from North America and parts of China. They have thorny branches, white flowers and fruit that resemble a small red apple. This genus of plants is vulnerable to insect damage and fungal diseases.
The name Crataegus is a Greek word that means a "flowering thorn" that appropriately describes the species in this genus. The general name for this genus is Hawthorn or Thornapple. Some species in this genus include c. Pinnatifida , c. Monogyna and c. Intricata .
Several trees in this family have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for their potential health benefits. Herbal drugs derived from the Crataegus Pinnatifida tree are used to help digest and improve heart function. Faithful extracts are also rich in flavonoids that are withIllnamental antioxidants.
There are several species that are used in landscaping, including Crataegus monogyna . It grows about 33 feet (10 m) in height and has a spread of 25 feet (8 m). This species has a rounded form and is deciduous. The glossy green leaves are deeply lobed and are attached to branches that are densely covered with thorns. At the end of spring, white fragrant flowers bloom, followed by small red fruit.
Most species in this family grow well in most types of soil. Whether it is clay, sand or clay, if the soil is well exhausting, the shrub or the Crataegus tree will be good. Nor does the soil pH concern because most species are doing well in acidic or alkaline conditions. This genus can also grow in areas with direct sunlight or partial shade.
The main interest in growing plants in KRATAEGUS is a disease of plants, especially fire. Fireblight is a bacterial infection fromErwinia Amylovora bacteria. It creates a brown water fabric that radiates from branches and trunk. The leaves and fruit are faded and looked brown or burned.
Another problem is damage to insects from aphids, caterpillars and bile mites. The aphids and caterpillars feed on the leaves of the tree, while the bile mites distort the stems and leaves by creating clusters of sweet material that hardens the buttons or bumps. The aphids also leave sticky residues on the tree that attracts mold.