The Mexican hawthorn, the fruit of which is an oblong, orange-red pome. It may be eaten cooked or raw and is commonly canned. The flavour is similar to that of a crabapple with three hard seeds. It is used to flavour ponche and in rielitos. High in pectin, the fruits are also used in industrial processes where pectin is required, and as fodder for livestock. The root of this versatile plant is made into an infusion for diuresis and as a treatment for diarrhoea and the fruits for coughs.