azarole (or azerole) Crataegus azarolus (sometimes called Naples medlar but no relation to the ordinary medlar), a native of the E. Mediterranean area and Iran. The fruit is cherry sized, red, yellow, or white, or a mixture of colours. Its flesh is crisp and slightly granular, with a strong aroma and a sharp but agreeable flavour. There are three or four hard pips. The fruits have a pit at the end away from the stem, resembling that of the medlar, which partly explains the name ‘naples medlar’.
Azarole has been grown since classical times all over its native region and as far west as Majorca and Spain. It has been introduced to N. America, where there are now named cultivars.
