About Crataegus azarolus L.
Crataegus azarolus L. is a hawthorn species, with common names including azarole, azerole, and Mediterranean medlar. The name azerole derives from the Arabic az-zu'rūra. This species is native to the Mediterranean Basin, where it is very common. It grows in habitats similar to those preferred by the European common hawthorn, and it is the most widespread hawthorn species in Arab countries. Wild-growing azerole plants produce abundant crops of haws. These fruits resemble the haws of the European common hawthorn, but are more plump. Crataegus azarolus is frequently split into multiple subspecies or varieties. In his monograph, Christensen recognizes four distinct varieties: C. azarolus var. azarolus, which bears orange fruit; C. azarolus var. aronia L., which produces yellowish fruit often marked with red tinges; C. azarolus var. chlorocarpa (Moris) K.I.Chr., which has yellowish fruit; and C. azarolus var. pontica (K.Koch) K.I.Chr., which bears yellowish or orange fruit. Historically, C. azarolus has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes.
