Mayhaw is mainly considered to be very common fruit found in the south of the 1,000-hour chill line. The scientific name of this plant is known to be Crataegus aestivalis, C. rufula, or C. opaca.
The plant usually grows under the hardwood timber in the wet floodplain soils along rivers and creeks. On the other hand, this particular Mayhaw fruit is small and looks like Apple during early May and late April in East Texas.
In the spring, these mayhaw trees have beautiful white blossoms and so, these are desirable as ornaments and for wildlife forage and cover. This particular section will help you to understand what is mayhaw.
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Varieties Of Mayhaw
The observations and also the information is considered to be very limited on some varieties of this particular mayhaw fruit. A ripening or harvest period of about 10 to 30 days is required for most of the varieties of mayhaw fruit whereas some other varieties usually may have 80% of the fruit ripe at one time.
The best yield and also tree form generally seems to be ‘Super Berry’ and ‘Super Spur’. These varieties bloom early and so, are best frown in Southeast Texas and also East Texas.
Mayhaws mainly grows in moist soil in the creek bottoms and rivers under the hardwood trees. As, these particular fruit ripens in late April through May and so, the name of it is may-haw.
Also, this fruit is found in the bayous surrounding lakes like Caddo Lake on the Texas/Louisiana border. This is an important fruit which is used to make jelly. Mostly, these fruits have been cultivated to grow outside of the wetlands and so, this is the most popular source of the jelly.
Uses Of Mayhaw Fruit
This mayhaw fruit can be popularly made into jellies and jams. Sometimes wines are also made from this particular fruit. There is a presence of some traditional Southern rural families who are still involved in making a big catch of the mayhaw jelly every year.
Nutrients Present In Mayhaw Fruit
Mayhaw is mainly considered to be a southern swampy tree with bright red berries. Again, it is known to be a part of the Hawthorne genus, Crataegus spp., and so, it is called Crataegus opaca. The particular tree can generally grow well in the upland habitats or wetland. Also, these trees can mainly grow to about thirty feet tall.
Mayhaw berries are rick in Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, calcium and also potassium. So, these particular Hawthorne berries have been closely associated with the heart healing. Apart from that, there are also some other important health benefits of these mayhaw fruits. Many of the researches are still being conducted to understand the particular benefits of this particular fruit.
Apart from that, Mayhaws are considered to be a good source of antioxidants. This thing is claimed by many of the doctors. A huge role is preferably played by the antioxidants present in fruit. So, it gradually helps in the prevention of disease which is caused as a result of oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress helps in releasing free oxygen radicals in the body. This has been implicated in a wide variety of disorders which includes cataracts, cardiovascular malfunction, rheumatism, cancers and also many other autoimmune diseases.
Consumers generally in these days want to know the preferable health benefits of different fruit and so, many of the additional research is needed in order to determine the stability of the antioxidants in most of the processed fruit products.
Health Benefits Of The Mayhaw
There is a presence of many of the herbs which are considered to be significant to homeopathic and also naturopathic medicine. In this case, the Mayhaw berry or fruit is preferably known for its healing properties. It was known from a very long time before the evidence-based medicine could actually validate its important benefits.
The medicinal properties of the Mayhaw fruit are also accepted by many of the modern scientists. They gradually have attributed to the presence of certain bioflavonoid which is known as oligomeric procyanidins.
Most of the research has shown that these particular agents can gradually provide antioxidant activity and thereby, it may help to improve the elasticity of the blood vessels in your body. Along with that, it also helps to enhance circulation and reduces cholesterol levels of the body. Also, it preferably tends to lower blood pressure.
Several studies have also investigated the particular effects of these compounds in the heart. The particular finding from these studies suggests that the mayhaw berry may contribute to improving the heart functions in those patients who are diagnosed with heart failure.
Several years ago, the Mayhaw Association and also the LSU AgCenter began studies on these fruits for the purpose of determining its health benefits and also improving the overall marketability of the fruit.
This is because it gradually moved from the growing wild in the swamps to being cultivated in the orchards. So, there are generally many of the important health benefits of these mayhaw fruits.
Conclusion
So, it is particularly evident from the above section evident that the Mayhaw fruits are considered to be a very good source of antioxidants. The antioxidants present in the fruit generally play a very important role in the prevention of the diseases which are mainly caused as a result of oxidative stress.
