Tejocote (Crataegus mexicana)

The tejocote is a very interesting tree, which can be used both as an ornamental, as a food or even as a medicinal one. Its maintenance is not difficult, since with a minimum of care we will see that it produces a large quantity of good-tasting fruits since its flowers are hermaphroditic.

So if you have a bit of free ground and want to grow this magnificent tree, then I will tell you how you can do it.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is a thorny tree native to Mexico and some areas of Guatemala whose scientific name is Crataegus mexicana. The leaves are semi-evergreen, oval or diamond-shaped, 4-8cm long, with a serrated margin. The flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary, and appear in the form of terminal umbels with 2 to 6 white flowers. The fruit is a pommel that is very reminiscent of a yellow-orange apple. The seeds are smooth and brown in color.

It grows in temperate climates, between 1000 and 3500 meters above sea level, so that it is able to withstand weak frosts without problems. In addition, and as we anticipated, it has several uses:

Nutritional: the fruit is edible, rich in vitamin C.
Medicinal: if the fruits are infused, it is a good remedy for respiratory diseases.
Industrial:
- Wood: used as firewood and to make small tools.
- Leaves, shoots and fruits: used as livestock feed.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a specimen of tejocote, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location: it must be outside, in full sun.
Land:
- Pot: universal growing substrate.
- Garden: grows in all types of soils, but prefers those that have good drainage.
Irrigation: it has to be watered 3-4 times a week in summer, somewhat less the rest of the year.
Subscriber: pay once a month with ecological fertilizers.
Multiplication: it multiplies by seeds in spring.
Rusticity: supports up to -5ºC.