Azarole
Crataegus azarolus
- Native to:
- Algeria, Baleares, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Palestine, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan
Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Crataegus
- Species:
- Crataegus azarolus
- USDA Symbol:
- CRAZ
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 1000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers calcareous soils in its native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 2-3 months to break dormancy; germination can be slow and erratic.