Series OrientalesPojark. Higher classification Hawthorn | Scientific name Crataegus azarolus Rank Species | |
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Similar Rosaceae, Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus pentagyna, Crataegus laevigata, Common medlar | ||
Crataegus azarolus is a species of hawthorn known by the common names azarole, azerole, and Mediterranean medlar. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and is a common plant there, growing on sites comparable to those the European common hawthorn grows on. In the Arabic-speaking countries it is the commonest of the hawthorn species; in the Arabic language the term "common hawthorn" means the azarole hawthorn. When growing in the wild the azerole bears plentiful crops of haw fruits, which are similar to the haws of the European common hawthorn, but plumper.
C. azarolus is often divided into subspecies or varieties, for example Christensen in his monograph uses four varieties:
C. azarolus has been used historically for a number of medicinal purposes.
Acerolo crataegus azarolus
