Crataegus azarolus

Crataegus azarolus is a species of hawthorn known by the common names azarole, azerole (from Arabic: الزُّعرُورَة, romanized: az-zu'rūra) 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 Arab countries it is the most common hawthorn species. 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 more plump. C. azarolus is often divided into subspecies or varieties, for example Christensen in his monograph uses four varieties: C. azarolus var. azarolus has orange fruit. C. azarolus var. aronia L., has yellowish fruit often with some red tinges C. azarolus var. chlorocarpa (Moris) K.I.Chr. has yellowish fruit C. azarolus var. pontica (K.Koch) K.I.Chr. has yellowish or orange fruit C. azarolus has been used historically for a number of medicinal purposes.

Description

A small tree to 4-10 m high. The tree has thorns. The leaves are divided a bit like fingers on a hand. The flowers are small and white. The flowers have a bad smell which attract midges which are important for fertilisation. Fruit can be 2.5 cm across. They are red or yellow. There are 5 seeds inside. The seeds often cling together.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or used cooked in pies and preserves, and can also be dried for later use. It is highly variable in size and colour, reaching up to 25mm in diameter. In warm temperate climates the fruit develops more sugars, producing a fragrant, sugary pulp with a mildly acid flavour suitable for eating out of hand. In cooler zones it does not develop as fully and is better cooked or used in preserves. The flavour is generally pleasantly acid. Up to five fairly large seeds sit at the centre, and as these tend to fuse together, eating the fruit is much like eating a cherry with a single stone.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in pies and preserves. They can be dried. They are used for jam. They can be used for marmalade and wines. The flowers can be used in liqueurs. The young buds and leaves are used in salads.

Medicinal Uses

Though no specific research has been recorded for this species, the fruits and flowers of hawthorns broadly are well established in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic, and modern research supports this. Both fruits and flowers exert a hypotensive effect and act as a gentle, direct heart tonic. They are particularly suited to treating a weak heart accompanied by high blood pressure. Prolonged use is required for effective results, and the plant is typically taken as a tea or tincture.

Distribution

It suits warm temperate areas. When young it needs a well drained moisture retaining soil but once established can grow in very wet soils and survive drought. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 400-1,200 mm. It can grow on chalky soils but also heavy clays. Sun is required for good fruit production. It can grow in arid places. Temperate. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Where It Grows

Africa, Algeria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Caucasus, Central Asia, Crete, Cyprus, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it prefers a well-drained moisture retentive loamy soil but is not at all fussy. Once established, it succeeds in excessively moist soils and also tolerates drought. It grows well on a chalk soil and also in heavy clay soils. A position in full sun is best when plants are being grown for their fruit, they also succeed in semi-shade though fruit yields and quality will be lower in such a position. Most members of this genus succeed in exposed positions, they also tolerate atmospheric pollution. The azarole has long been cultivated for its edible fruit in S. Europe, though it is now going out of favour. There are some named varieties. Seedling trees take from 5 - 8 years before they start bearing fruit, though grafted trees will often flower heavily in their third year. The flowers have a foetid smell somewhat like decaying fish. This attracts midges which are the main means of fertilization. When freshly open, the flowers have more pleasant scent with balsamic undertones. Hawthorns in general hybridize freely with other members of the genus. Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted.

Propagation

Seed is best sown fresh in autumn in a cold frame; some will germinate the following spring, though most will likely take a further year. Stored seed germinates slowly and erratically — warm stratify for 3 months at 15°C, then cold stratify for 3 months at 4°C, after which germination may still take another 18 months. Scarifying before stratification may shorten this period, and fermenting the seed for a few days in its own pulp may also help. Alternatively, harvest seed green — once the embryo is fully formed but before the seedcoat hardens — and sow immediately in a cold frame for possible spring germination. For small quantities, pot seedlings individually as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on for the first year before planting out in late spring. For larger quantities, sow directly in a protected outdoor seedbed and undercut the roots if plants will remain there for more than two years.

Other Uses

The wood is heavy, hard, tough, and close-grained. It is practical for small items such as tool handles and mallets.

Production

Seedling trees take 5-8 years before bearing fruit. Grafted trees bear well in the third year. Fruit is sweeter in warmer climates.

Other Information

It is cultivated in Mediterranean climates for its fruit.

Notes

There are 200 or more Crataegus species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Alic, Azarole, Eastern hawthorns, Geiwzh, Gijok, Givij, Gizran, Goeazh, Goezh, Guhij, Hizran, Medlar, Mosphilia, Muzmuldek, Neapolitan medlar, Spanish pine, Tafirez, Tazarourt, Tefifiha, Za'rur, Zaaroura, Zinebit

References (38)

• Ahmad, S. A. & Askari, A. A., 2015, Ethnobotany of the Hawraman Region of Kurdistan Iraq. Harvard Papers in Botany, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2015, pp. 85–89
• Al-Qura'n, S. A., 2010, Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Wild Edible Plants in Jordan. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 1(4):231-243
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 65
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 136
• Boudraa, S. et al, 2010, Mineral and vitamin composition of fruits of five underexploited species in Algeria: Fruits. Vol. 65:75-84

More from Rosaceae

Pyrus cordata

Plymouth pear, Algerian pear

Pyrus decora

Showy mountain ash, Northern Mountain-ash

Pyrus elaeagnifolia

Ahlat

Pyrus elaeagnifolia kotschyana - (Decne.)Boiss.

Pyrus elaeagnifolia subsp. bulgarica

Pyrus elaeagnifolia subsp. kotschyana