Rosaceae

Crataegus x sinaica

Common Names: Azarola

Plant Form: Large deciduous shrub or small tree. Size: Up to 10 m tall, usually 2-6 m. Stem: Erect, smooth barked and with soft hairs becoming rougher and hairless towards base with age. Sometimes with a few thorns up to 2.5 cm long. Leaves: Alternately arranged, wedge-shaped with 3 or sometimes 5 forward pointing lobes. Can have toothed edges. Higher leaves can have long hairs on veins. Flowers: White, cream or pinkish with 5 petals, in small clusters on short slightly hairy stalks. Fruit and Seeds: Fleshy firm and round berries which are orange-red to deep red when ripe. 1-2.5 cm diameter and containing 2-3 hard brown seeds. Habitat: Old gardens, disturbed areas, urban bushland. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) by having larger fruit and hairy young stems.