270 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



Sesse. It may be allowable to use the common name manzanilla 

 (the diminutive of the Spanish manzana, hence little apple) 

 for both, since it is better adapted to the English language 

 than the Mexican tejocote (from the Nahuatl texocotl, meaning 

 stone-plum) . According to Gabriel Alcocer, Cratagus stipulosa 

 is found in Mexico as well as in Guatemala. 



The manzanilla closely resembles some of the northern haws 

 in appearance, but it is a larger fruit than most of the latter. 

 It occurs only in the highlands, at elevations of 3000 to 9000 

 feet. It withstands heavy frosts unharmed, and should be 

 suitable for cultivation in subtropical regions with rather dry 

 climates. It has done well in southern California, where it 

 was introduced some years ago by F. Franceschi under the name 

 Cratcegus guatemalensis. 



The plant is variable in habit, in some cases shrubby, in 

 others becoming a small tree, with a short thick trunk. Com- 

 monly it is seen as an erect slender tree about 20 feet high. In 

 spring it produces white flowers resembling those of the apple. 

 In early fall, beginning about October, the yellow fruits ripen 

 and remain abundant in the markets of Mexico and Guatemala 

 until Christmas. They resemble small apples in appearance. 

 The largest specimens are nearly 2 inches in diameter, but the 

 average size is not over 1 inch. The flesh is mealy in texture, 

 and not so juicy nor so sprightly in flavor as that of a good 

 apple. The seeds, commonly three in number, are rather large. 



The fruits, which are much used for decorative purposes, are 

 eaten in the form of jelly and preserves. For stewing, they are 

 first boiled with wood-ashes, by which means the skin is easily 

 removed ; they are then placed in hot sirup and boiled for a 

 short time. The flavor of the cooked fruit suggests that of 

 stewed apples. 



The plant is simple of culture. It grows most commonly on 

 heavy soil and does not require a large amount of water. 

 Propagation is usually by seed, but it would be an easy matter 



