Status. A rare species, with a shrinking range.

The importance of the taxon in the preservation of the gene pool. An endemic species. Decorative, food, medicinal and honey-bearing plant [1, 2].

Botanical description. A low tree with a wide crown. The branches are variegated, brownish – gray; the shoots are glabrous, shiny, cherry-colored, sometimes bearing a few, short, 1-1.5 cm long spines. The leaves are glabrous, with a wedge–shaped base, ovate or elliptically ovate in outline, incised into five sharp blades, sometimes drawn into a short curved pointed, oval, along the edge from the middle with uneven sharp, sometimes pointed teeth. Flowers in loose, complex, many-flowered, naked shields, shorter than the leaves, 5-7 in diameter, sometimes up to 9 cm; sepals triangular or ovate – triangular, sharp, reaching the middle of the ovary, with fruits bent, corolla diameter up to 18 mm.; columns 3-5. The fruits are almost spherical, blistering, purplish – black, with few yellowish buds, with juicy flesh. The bones are 3-5 in number, slightly triangular, almost smooth on the sides, with 2-3 shallow grooves on the dorsal side. Flowering in June. Fruiting in September [13].

Distribution. Kazakhstan. It is found in the Dzungarian, Zailiysky and Kungei, Alatau, Chu-Ili Mountains.

Habitats. In the middle belt of mountains among shrubs, in river valleys and along the slopes of gorges. It grows on rocky and gravelly slopes of gorges and in river valleys of the middle belt of mountains. In nature, hawthorns are usually found singly or in groups in thickets of shrubs, along the edges, in cuttings and glades, on scree, less often they grow in sparse forests and do not occur at all under a dense tree canopy. They are distributed from sea level to the upper limit of forest vegetation in the mountains, in a variety of terrain conditions and on different soils.

Using. Hawthorns are widely used in decorative gardening. They are winter-hardy, drought-resistant, undemanding to soils, decorative throughout the growing season thanks to elegant leaves that turn orange-red in autumn, numerous white flowers in corymbose inflorescences, bright-colored fruits that adorn the crown for two months. Wood is used to make handles for percussion instruments, for various household items, turning and carving products, etc.

Medicines made from hawthorn have a cardiotonic effect. They enhance myocardial contractions, but reduce its excitability, triterpene acids enhance blood circulation in the coronary vessels and vessels of the brain, increase the sensitivity of the heart muscle to the action of cardiac glycosides, eliminate pain and discomfort in the heart area. Hawthorn preparations are used for complex therapy of functional disorders of cardiac activity, cardialgia, menopausal syndrome, hypertension, astheno-neurotic conditions. In scientific medicine, an alcoholic tincture is used, as well as a liquid and thick extract from flowers and fruits. The fruits of hawthorn, as well as its leaves and flowers contain a high amount of biologically active compounds. Due to this composition, hawthorn helps in general health promotion and stimulation of immunity, elimination of hypovitaminosis. A means to reduce cholesterol levels. Various variants of medicinal compositions (decoctions, tea, infusion, tinctures) have an anti-inflammatory effect and antimicrobial effect. This allows them to be used for colds, inflammation of the respiratory tract and digestive problems. The biological activity of hawthorn components helps prevent the growth of malignant cells in the body. The plant has regenerating effects, due to which it is actively used in the healing process of wounds and burns, to rejuvenate the body. Stimulates metabolic processes and weight loss, burning excess fat.