Crataegus azarolus

Botanical Description

Crataegus azarolus is a deciduous shrub or a tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall[ 1259 Title Revision of Crataegus Sect. Crataegus and Nothosect. Crataeguineae (Rosaceae-Maloideae) in the Old World Publication Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 35 June 1992 pp 1-199 Author Knud Ib Christensen Website http://www.jstor.org/stable/25027810 Publisher Year 1992 ISBN Description ]. Plants can range from very thorny to almost thorn-free, especially in cultivated forms[ 1259 Title Revision of Crataegus Sect. Crataegus and Nothosect. Crataeguineae (Rosaceae-Maloideae) in the Old World Publication Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 35 June 1992 pp 1-199 Author Knud Ib Christensen Website http://www.jstor.org/stable/25027810 Publisher Year 1992 ISBN Description ]. The Azarole has a long history of cultivation for its edible fruit, though it is only grown on a very small scale at present(2017). The plant also has a useful wood and medicinal properties. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, can be used as a rootstock and in shelterbelt plantings. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].