Crataegus ellwangeriana

Botanical Description

Crataegus ellwangeriana is generally no longer accepted as a distinct species - see notes above on taxonomy. The plant grown in Britain and long known under the name of Crataegus ellwangeriana is an excellent ornamental and fruit-producing plant that is still (2017) often grown and available in nurseries in Britain under the name of Crataegus ellwangeriana. This is a very useful, highly productive and very tasty fruit and, since it has in the past been considered worthy of specific status, it should at least merit treatment as a cultivar. Certainly, not all forms of Crataegus coccinea (its generally accepted new name) produce good quality fruit and so giving this form a varietal name would at least ensure that people who want to grow it for its fruit can be sure of getting the correct plant.