Azarole

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Azarole
• Crete Hawthorn
• Mediterranean Hawthorn
• Mediterranian Medler
• Mosfilia
• Oriental Hawthorn
• Mediterranean-medlar
• Azarole Hawthorn
• Mediterranean medlar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Crataegus oxyacantha var. azarolus
• Pyrus azarolus
• Mespilus azarolus
• Oxyacantha azarolus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Crataegus as the species Crataegus azarolus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range across several Mediterranean regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is documented in the Balearic Islands, France, Sardinia, and Spain. Moving eastward, its distribution extends into Southeastern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Greece. Together, these locations define its primary geographical footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Crataegus azarolus is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons and maintains its biological functions over a long lifespan. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, allowing the plant to maintain a robust structural presence in its environment. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a high-growing life form enables the species to establish stable, woody architectures that can withstand seasonal changes and support reproductive maturity over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crataegus azarolus is characterized by its terrestrial habitat, where it grows as a perennial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic species. Its growth form is versatile, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or a small tree, depending on environmental conditions and pruning. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit any parasitic tendencies, functioning autonomously within its ecosystem. The plant is distinctly woody in its structural composition, possessing rigid, lignified stems and branches that support its dense, spreading canopy.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Crataegus azarolus is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide via the enzyme Rubisco within the mesophyll cells. This carbon fixation process typically occurs during daylight hours, leading to the production of three-carbon molecules as the primary initial product of the Calvin cycle. As a woody perennial, its physiological processes are closely tied to seasonal phenology, where transpiration rates and stomatal conductance are regulated to balance gas exchange with water conservation, particularly in its native Mediterranean-type habitats. The plant exhibits robust secondary metabolism, synthesizing various bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are integrated into its physiological defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and herbivory. Furthermore, its nutrient uptake and vascular transport systems are adapted to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate the long-distance movement of photosynthates from the leaves to the woody tissues and developing fruits.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crataegus azarolus is centered on the production of seeds contained within its fleshy fruits, which exhibit significant variability in physical dimensions. The seed mass of this species is characterized by a mean value of approximately 0.193569375 g, indicating a relatively consistent baseline for embryo development. However, there is a notable range in individual seed weights, with the minimum recorded mass being 0.10628 g and the maximum reaching up to 0.5074 g. This distribution of seed mass suggests a diverse reproductive strategy where seed size can fluctuate significantly within the population, potentially influencing germination success and early seedling vigor.

Seed mass max:

0.5074 g

Seed mass mean:

0.193569375 g

Seed mass min:

0.10628 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crataegus azarolus has 4 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, flower, leaf, stem.

Fruit

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Flower

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Leaf

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Stem

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Chemicals

Crataegus azarolus has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, (-)-Epicatechin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Fatty acids, Flavonoids.

quercetin

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Fatty acids

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Flavonoids

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Hyperoside

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Isoquercitrin

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Lucenin-2

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

RUTIN

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Spiraeoside

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Activities

Crataegus azarolus has 2 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anxiolytic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Anxiolytic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Crataegus azarolus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include mental health, uterine contraction.

Mental health

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Uterine contraction

1. Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators

Preparations

Crataegus azarolus has 5 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanolic extracts of dried berries, Methanolic extracts of dried flowers, Methanolic extracts of dried leaves, ethyl acetate extracts prepared from floral buds, ethyl acetate extracts prepared from opened flowers.

Methanolic extracts of dried berries

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Methanolic extracts of dried flowers

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Methanolic extracts of dried leaves

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Ethyl acetate extracts prepared from floral buds

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Ethyl acetate extracts prepared from opened flowers

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS