Crataegus columbiana is a deciduous Tree growing to 5 m (16ft 5in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Midges.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Deciduous, thicket forming tree/shrub, to about 20 ft (6 m), branches armed with thorns, 4-6 cm long, longer than the thorns of C. douglasii. Leaves alternate, or clustered at end of shoot, simple, 3-7 cm long, obovate to nearly oval, base wedge-shaped and its margin entire, upper margin with 5-9 serrate lobes, dark green, glossy, smooth (or hairy) above, paler below. Flowers white, in clusters, 2-4 styles. Fruit globular, 8-11 mm wide, dark red, somewhat hairy.
Sun or part shade, moist to dry sites
Hardy to USDA Zone 5 Native range from southern British Columbia southward on the east side of the Cascades to northern California, along the Columbia River and its tributaries to Idaho.
The name Crataegus columbiana is a source of considerable confusion. The species named by Howell is now considered to be the same as Crataegus douglasii, which was named earlier, and the earlier name should be used instead. However, some varieties of C. columbiana have also been named that are not related to C. douglasii. For example, Crataegus columbiana var. piperi is now considered Crataegus chrysocarpa var. piperi. See Crataegus columbiana in Wikipedia for more detail and references.
