A shrub with arching, dense, tangled crown reaching heights of 10 feet. Twigs slender, gray-brown, often terminating in a thorn, buds small and darker. Bark light brown, smooth with some raised lenticels. Leaves alternate, simple, fine round teeth on margin, ovate, 2 to 3 1/2 long, large circular stiplues, shiny dark green above, slightly paler below. Flowers very showy, white, pink and red, most commonly red, 1 1/2 inches across, appearing before the leaves. Fruit a pome, 2 to 3 inches across, green with some red, very bitter.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and digestive (fruit)

Plants For A Future

A decoction of fruit is used internally in the treatment of nausea, joint pains, cholera and associated cramps. It is useful in treating rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis, especially with muscular contracture, and also in treatment of edema and weakness of the legs.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 173, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.