Crataegus Azarolus Research Articles

A comparative analysis between historical iatrosophia texts and modern plant use in the monasteries of Cyprus

The iatrosophia is a genre of historical medical Greek texts rooted in the Byzantine Empire [1]. Here we use a diachronic approach based on the medicinal knowledge contained in six iatrosophia related to Cyprus from the 17th to 20th century mostly written by monks [2]. We juxtapose this ancient knowledge with modern knowledge collected in an ethnobotanical field study involving 21 monasteries. In both the ancient and the modern dataset gastrointestinal and respiratory tract disorders are among the most important conditions treated (at least 35% of the medicinal use reports). The most remarkable change is the decline of uses in dermatology (from 22% to less than 7%) and the appearance of cardiovascular and blood system uses (from practically zero to 14%) in the modern dataset. In both datasets the majority of the twenty most frequently reported plants are cultivated vegetables, fruits, aromatic herbs and other crop plants with about half belonging to the Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Liliaceae. Mentha spicata L., Crataegus azarolus L. and Salvia fruticosa Mill. are used for medicinal purposes in at least 16 of the 21 monasteries. While M. spicata scores among the top ten with the highest numbers of use reports in the historical texts, S. fruticosa is less important and C. azarolus not mentioned at all. The present analysis highlights changes and similarities in plant usage patterns of two closely related traditional systems separated in time and adds to our understanding of the dynamics involved the development of herbal medicine use in the (Eastern) Mediterranean.

Genetic Relationships Among Some Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) Species and Genotypes

The genus Crataegus is well distributed in Turkey as a wild plant, with numerous, inherently variable species and genotypes. RAPD markers were used to study 17 hawthorn genotypes belonging to Crataegus monogyna ssp. monogyna Jacq (2 genotypes), C. monogyna ssp. azarella Jacq (1), Crataegus pontica K.Koch (3), Crataegus orientalis var. orientalis Pallas Ex Bieb (3), Crataegus pseudoheterophylla Pojark (1), Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz (1), C. aronia var. aronia Browicz (4), and Crateagus x bornmuelleri Zabel (2). The 10 RAPD primers produced 72 polymorphic bands (88% polymorphism). A dendrogram based on Jaccard's index included four major groups and one outgroup according to taxa. The lowest genetic variability was observed within C. aronia var. aronia genotypes. The study demonstrated that RAPD analysis is efficient for genotyping wild-grown hawthorns.

Characterization of Selected Wild Mediterranean Fruits and Comparative Efficacy as Inhibitors of Oxidative Reactions in Emulsified Raw Pork Burger Patties

In the present study, water, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts from seven selected wild fruits originally from the Mediterranean area, namely, strawberry tree ( Arbutus unedo L., AU), azarole ( Crataegus azarolus L., CA), common hawthorn ( Crataegus monogyna L., CM), blackthorn ( Prunus spinosa L., PS), dog rose ( Rosa canina L., RC), elm-leaf blackberry ( Rubus ulmifolius Schott, RU), and rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia L., SA), were analyzed for the total amount and profile of phenolic compounds and for the in vitro antioxidant activity against the DPPH and ABTS radicals (study 1). The seven fruits showed different chemical compositions, which consequently led to different antioxidant potentials. Among the seven fruits initially analyzed, AU, CM, RC, and RU had the highest amount of phenolic compounds and displayed the greatest antioxidant activity in vitro. Extracts from these four fruits were tested as inhibitors of lipid oxidation in raw pork burger patties subjected to refrigerated storage at 2 degrees C for 12 days (study 2). The quantitative measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS), hexanal content, and color stability were used as indicators of oxidative reactions. The four selected fruits displayed intense antioxidant activity against lipid oxidation, which highlights the potential usage of these fruits as ingredients for the manufacture of healthy meat products. Among them, RC and AU were particularly efficient as their protective effect against lipid oxidation was more intense than that displayed by quercetin (230 mg/kg of burger patty).

Overcoming The Germination Problems Of Crataegus azarolus L. Seeds By Using In Vitro Cultures

The present study succeeded in overcoming of germination problems of Crataegus azarolus L. in vitro was successful . As the seeds need 2 – 3 year in soil to germinate, four different culture media were used in this study including MS (Murashige & Skoog medium) , NF (Nitrogen – Free medium) , WPM (Woody plant medium) and UM (Uchimyia & Murashige medium) . Six seeds treatments were used , these are intact seeds, seeds with removed sheath , embryos with cotyledons , embryos with single cotyledon , embryoes with half cotyledon and embryos . Murashige & Skoog (MS) solid medium free from growth regulators was the best in stimulating germination of seeds which reached 77% , 7 – 20 days in culture , and produced normal plantlets. After one month in culture the plantlet height reached 10 cm. involving 15 – 25 leaves . Weak and slow growth was obtained with NF and WPM media. Seeds failed to germinate on solid UM medium. This study pointed out an efficient method to get Crataegus azarolus seedlings from in vitro culture within one month compared with those seedlings produced by planting in nursery for 2 – 3 years and accompanied with stratification pre-sawing . Therefore this results overcoming problems of propagation of this woody species.

Genetic diversity in Tunisian Crataegus azarolus L. var. aronia L. populations assessed using RAPD markers

• The genetic diversity of nine wild Tunisian Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L. populations from different bioclimates was assessed using RAPD markers.• Eight selected primers generated a total of 105 bands, 81 of which were polymorphic. Shannon’s index (H ′) ranged from 0.222 to 0.278 according to a population with an average of 0.245. The genetic variation within the species (H SP = 0.423) was relatively low. A high differentiation (G ST = 0.421) among populations coupled with a low level of gene flow (N m = 0.472) were observed. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed also significant differentiation among populations (ΦST = 0.371), even at a low scale space. The majority of variation occurred within populations (63.31%). The Mantel test performed on genetic (ΦST ) and geographic distance matrices among population pairs did not reveal an isolation by distance.• Interpretation of Neighbour-joining tree based on Nei’s and Li’s genetic distance among individuals showed distinct population groupings. The UPGMA dendrogram based on ΦST values revealed two population sub-clusters, each including populations from different bioclimates and/or geographic regions.• The low level of genetic diversity and the high genetic structure of populations resulted from genetic drift caused both by habitat fragmentation and the low size of populations.• The high differentiation among populations and the similar low level of diversity within populations suggest that in situ conservation should interest all populations. The ex situ conservation should be based on the collection of seeds rather within than among populations because of the maximum of variation was revealed within populations.

Polyphenol Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts from Flowers of Two Crataegus azarolus L. Varieties

Phenolic contents of the ethyl acetate extracts prepared from floral buds and opened flowers harvested on Crataegus azarolus trees native in two localities were performed. The antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH' (2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS+ (2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals scavenging using spectrophotometric method. The C. azarolus var. aronia (Willd.) Batt., producing yellow fruits, was richer in total phenols (1638.7 +/- 89.9 mg acid gallic/100 g dry weight) according to C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus Maire (1415.5 +/- 23.8 mg acid gallic/100 g dry weight), producing red ones. Ethyl acetate extract from opened flowers has less content in total phenols, proanthocyanidins and flavonoids compared to this from floral buds. Floral buds from the two C. azarolus varieties occurring in Siliana-Djebel Serdj showed the highest radical scavenging activities (2431.8 +/- 32.7 and 2267.7 +/- 22.7 micromol Trolox/100 g dry weight). Hawthorn from Tunisia contains eight antioxidants of phenolic type (chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rutin, spiraeoside, isoquercitrin, quercetin, (-)-epicatechin and the dimer procyanidin B2). These compounds identified specially in floral bud extracts presented a strong radical-scavenging activity.

Chemical characterisation of Crataegus azarolus L. fruit from 14 genotypes found in Tunisia

SummaryFruits from genotypes of 14 Crataegus were collected at the full-ripe stage at three locations in Tunisia. Fresh fruit juice was analysed for some chemical properties. The juice content [% (v/w)], pH, titratable acidity (g malic acid 100 ml−1), and formol index (ml NaOH 100 ml−1 juice), and the contents of total soluble solids (°Brix), total sugars [(g 100 g−1 fresh fruit weight (FW)], reducing sugars (g 100 g−1 FW), and salts (mg 100 g−1 FW), were established as: 2.0 – 11.9%, 3.2 – 4.2, 0.9 – 1.9, 2.8 – 4.4, 16.3 – 21.5, 5.3 – 17.0, 5.8 – 7.9, and 0.6 – 0.7, respectively. Fresh juice also contained vitamin C (31.4 mg ascorbic acid 100 g−1 FW, and the mineral elements; calcium (285.6 – 399.1 mg 100 g−1 FW), sodium (30.4 – 43.8 mg 100 g−1 FW), and potassium (138.5 – 169.2 mg 100 g−1 FW). The concentration of phenols ranged from 498.5 – 1,477 mg 100 g−1 FW. This study showed great variation between fruit from the 14 genotypes. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis allowed the separation of hybrids of Crataegus species and varieties. Two groups and three sub-groups were identified. Eight genotypes were distinguished as C. azarolus var. aronia, and two others as C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus. The two genotypes of C. oxyacanthus ssp. monogyna were completely different from the other genotypes. Two genotypes were putative hybrids: C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus C. azarolus var. aronia, and C. oxyacanthus ssp. monogyna C. azarolus var. aronia. Fruit from C. oxyacanthus ssp. monogyna exhibited the highest phenol contents, and red-coloured fruit from C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus also showed high phenol content, whereas most C. azarolus var. aronia genotypes, with yellow fruit, had the highest percentage of juice and low phenol contents. Our results demonstrate the opportunity to improve and select genotypes of C. azarolus, especially those having fruit with high vitamin C and phenol contents with high anti-oxidant activities.

Contribution à une étude palynologique de trois espèces de Rosacées (tribu des Pyrées) indigènes au Liban: Pyrus syriaca Boiss., Crataegus azarolus L., C. monogyna Jacq.

In Lebanon, three Rosaceae from Pyreae tribe are commonly cultivated: Pyrus syriaca Boiss., Crataegus azarolus L., C. monogyna Jacq. Four samples were taken on the flowers of three species to study the pollinic morphology with light and scanning electron microscope. The morphologic observation and the numerical treatment of various types of characters were realised to determinate the morphology of pollen grains, the stereostructure of the tectum, and the variations of dimensions (average, minimum, maximum values) of the polar axis and of the equatorial diameter in order to highlight the precedent descriptions and to explicit the pollinic morphology of the three species. The differences between Pyrus syriaca and two Crataegus are easy. The fine pollinic morphology of both Crataegus is compared and a biometric analysis is necessary to show the specific pollinic dimensions witch differentiate the both species.

Notes on the genus Crataegus (Rosaceae–Pyreae) in southern Europe, the Crimea and western Asia

The infrageneric classification of Crataegus azarolus is revised, and a new combination is proposed, C. azarolus var. assadii comb. et stat. nov. Crataegus monogyna var. lasiocarpa is reinstalled as the correct varietal name for the hairy, Mediterranean form of C. monogyna. Crataegus granatensis is shown to be synonymous with C. monogyna var. monogyna and not with C. nevadensis which is a species more closely related to C. rhipidophylla, C. microphylla and C. pseudoheterophylla than to C. monogyna. Crataegus rhipidophylla var. ronnigeri is reported as new to Bulgaria and its occurrence in the Crimea is confirmed. Crataegus×bornmuelleri nothosp. nov. (C. orientalis×tanacetifolia) and C.×inexpectans nothosp. nov. (C. monogyna×nevadensis) are described anew. Emended descriptions and new records are supplied for Crataegus nevadensis, C.×browicziana (C. microphylla×rhipidophylla), C.×sinaica (C. azarolus×monogyna), and C.×yosgatica (C. monogyna×tanacetifolia). Crataegus×sinaica is reported as new to Greece. New records are given for Crataegus×rubrinervis (C. monogyna×pentagyna) and C.×subsphaericea (C. monogyna×rhipidophylla).

Molecular and morphological characterization of Crataegus L. species (Rosaceae) in southern Syria

The systematics of the genus Crataegus (Rosaceae) have been considered problematic owing to the fact that hybridization, introgression, polyploidy and apomixis may occur in this genus. A study of the Crataegus species from the Arab mountains, Sweida Province, Syria, has been undertaken based on both plastid DNA sequences (trnL-trnF, psbA-trnH) and morphological data. In the investigated region, three morphologically distinguishable Crataegus species: C. azarolus var. aronia L., C. × sinaica Boiss. ssp. sinaica and C. monogyna var. monogyna Jacq. were investigated. Crataegus azarolus can be clearly distinguished morphologically from C. monogyna by the colour, size and structure of fruits, the number of pyrenes, the flowering and ripening time, the density of thorns, the tree shape and also the leaf shape. According to our morphological data, in Syria, C. × sinaica is variable and could represent a hybrid of C. azarolus × C. monogyna; the cpDNA sequence analysis showed sequences corresponding to C. monogyna as the plausible mother of the hybrid. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153, 255–263.

Convective drying characteristics of azarole red ( Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) and yellow ( Crataegus aronia Bosc.) fruits

In this research, drying characteristics and energy requirement for drying of two different genotypes ( Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus aronia Bosc.) of azarole ( Crataegus azarolus L.) red and yellow fruits were reported. Azarole fruits were dehydrated in a computer connected convective hot air dryer. Freshly harvested two different genotypes of azarole fruits were dried at 60 and 70 °C temperatures and drying air velocity was selected as 0.25 m/s for both temperatures. Azarole fruits were dehydrated from the initial moisture content of 211% and 273% (percentage dry basis) to a final moisture content of 8–9% for red and yellow fruits, respectively. During experiments, drying product were weighted automatically by the balance per 10 min. Data were transferred to the computer and processed by a software. The results indicated that drying air temperature significantly influenced the total drying time and total energy requirement for drying of both genotype azarole fruits. The minimum specific energy consumption for drying of red and yellow fruits were determined as 42.80 kWh/kg and 27.68 kWh/kg for 70 °C, respectively. In order to reduce drying energy consumption, it can be recommended that the drying temperature must not be less than 70 °C for this application.

The Effects of a Decoction Prepared from the Leaves and Unripe Fruits of Crataegus aronia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

A decoction of leaves and unripe fruits prepared from C. aronia syn. azarolus (L) (Rosaceae), the indigenous Israeli hawthorn, is used to treat diabetes in Arab traditional medicine. There is a growing body of evidence reporting the presence of systemic oxidative stress in insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. We have already reported that this decoction has antioxidant properties in vitro. In this report, we extended these in vitro observations to study its antioxidant action in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat in which we measured its effect on plasma and tissue indices of oxidative stress, as well as blood glucose levels. In an experiment lasting 24 days, 30 diabetic and 30 control rats were each subdivided into three separate groups. Group 1 rats drank tap water, group 2 rats drank the decoction containing 50 mg grounded dried plant/mL and group 3 rats drank the decoction containing 350 mg grounded dried plant/mL. Upon completion of the treatment period, the rats were anesthetized and blood glucose was measured using a drop of blood obtained by tail vein puncture. The abdomen was opened and aortic blood was withdrawn for measurement of the plasma levels of lipid peroxides, glutathione, cholesterol and triglycerides and the livers were harvested for determination of the extent of lipid peroxidation. The results of these experiments show that a decoction prepared from the leaves and unripe fruits of C. aronia normalizes plasma lipid peroxide levels and lowers blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. These findings indicate that the therapeutic benefit of the decoction could be due to these two actions, thereby providing a basis for its use in treating diabetes in traditional Arab medicine.

Antioxidant activity of Crataegus aronia aqueous extract used in traditional Arab medicine in Israel

Background: The medicinal use of extracts prepared from plant parts of the genus Crataegus dates back to ancient times. Furthermore, it has been proposed that its antioxidant constituents account for its beneficial therapeutic effects. A decoction of leaves and unripe fruits from Crataegus aronia syn. azarolus (L) (Rosaceae), the indigenous Israeli hawthorn, is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and sexual weakness in Arab traditional medicine. Purpose: Because laboratory data on the bioactivity of extracts prepared from the indigenous Israeli hawthorn is lacking, we evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of an extract prepared from leaves and unripe fruits in a variety of cell and cell-free in vitro assays. Methods: The antioxidant assays measured: (a) its ability to inhibit (i) oxidation of β-carotene, (ii) 2,2′-azobis(2-amidino-propan) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced plasma oxidation and (iii) iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates; (b) its ability to scavenge the superoxide (O 2 −) radical; (c) its effects on the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) activity; (d) its effect on the redox state of glutathione (GSH) in cultured Hep G2 cells. In addition, we also evaluated the effects of the extract on cell membrane integrity and mitochondrial respiration in cultured Hep G2 cells. Results and conclusions: Water-soluble extracts inhibited (1) oxidation of β-carotene, (2) AAPH-induced plasma oxidation and (3) Fe 2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates. In addition, the extract (4) is an efficient scavenger of the O 2 − (5) increases intracellular GSH levels and (6) is not cytotoxic. Accordingly, we propose that the therapeutic benefit of Crataegus aronia can be, at least in part, attributed to its effective inhibition of oxidative processes, efficient scavenging of O 2 − and possible increasing GSH biosynthesis.

The aroma of jam prepared from fruits of mosphilla (Crataegus azarolus L.)

The volatile constituents of the jam of Crataegus azarolus (Rosaceae) were analysed using simultaneous distillation–extraction and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Forty-four volatile compounds were identified for the first time in this jam, while 12 peaks were not identified. The volatile compounds were quantitatively determined by the use of an internal standard. The major classes of compounds identified included aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and hydrocarbons. The major constituent identified was 2-furaldehyde. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Vegetation Dynamics in the Tafileh Woodlands of Southern Jordan

Woodland vegetation in the Tafileh highlands of southern Jordan was investigated and quantitatively surveyed to determine the patterns of vegetation dynamics associated with altitude and topography. Three tree species (Juniperus phoenicea L. (evergreen needle-leaved woodland resistant to cold), Pistacia atlantica Desf. and Quercus aegilps L. (cold-deciduos broad-leaved woodland) and five shrubs (Colutea istria Miller, Gomphocarpus sinaicus R. Br., Thymelaea hirsute (L.) Endl., Crataegus aronia (L.) Bosc.ex DC and Daphne linearifolia Hart.) dominate the woody vegetation in the investigated area. Lower altitudes of southwest facing slopes demonstrate generally the higher plant densities than the higher altitudes of northeast facing slopes. Species segregation occurs on the basis of community ecological importance value depending on altitudes, slopes and human impact factor through grazing activities, wood gathering especially on plateau sites. Regeneration consequently negatively affected due to continuous reduction in species diversity and tree size distribution.

Crataegus azarolus var. sharania (Rosaceae), a new variety for the flora of Iraq

Crataegus azarolus var. sharania from Dohuk, Iraq is described as a new variety new to science. Morphological characteristics of twig, leaf, inflorescence, and infructescence are studied. Chromosome counting proved to be N= X=17. Results are compared with that of local varieties of C. azarolus.

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL COMPONENTS OF CRATAEGUS AZAROLUS FRUITS

Azarole (Crataegus azarolus L.) is a fruit and ornamental tree cultivated for centuries in the Mediterranean area, which is presently becoming rare in Italy. Programs directed to the collection and characterisation of its genetic resources have been started, in order to contribute to the exploitation of this species. The main pomological traits and the content of sugars, acids and total polyphenols were determined in fruits at the ripening stage of five azarole accessions collected in two regions of Italy. The accessions were clearly differentiated by both biometric and chemical fruit characteristics. GHI4 and GHI7 were distinguished by bigger fruits and more tasty flesh than the other accessions. Sugar profiles of these two accessions were clearly differentiated by the high levels of sucrose, whereas this sugar was almost absent in the other accessions. Similar contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids and procyanidins were measured in all the accessions. The presence of good levels of these components with medicinal properties makes azarole fruits susceptible to exploitation in the field of food with nutraceutical interest. INTRODUCTION Azarole (Crataegus azarolus L.) is a multipurpose fruit tree cultivated or naturalised in the Mediterranean region and in Italy, with good potential as an ornamental, fruit and medicinal plant (Ker’y et al., 1989; Bignami and Kurzmann, 1998; Bignami and Kurzmann, 2000). Similarly to Crataegus monogyna, flowers and leaves are considered able to exert antioxidant activities and a positive action on the heart, due to the content of flavonoids and procyanidins (Twaij et al., 1987; Ker’y et al., 1989), but their medicinal properties are still not fully understood and not yet exploited. Furthermore, little research has been devoted to the composition and the presence and function of bioactive compounds in azarole fruits (Twaij et al., 1987; Ker’y et al., 1989; Schussler et al., 1991). In Italy azarole has become very rare. Presently a few specimens are still cultivated in domestic orchards and gardens and their fruits are sometimes sold in the market. A program of conservation and characterisation of these threatened genetic resources started in 1996 within a EU project (Resgen 29), dealing with the exploitation of minor fruit tree species. Accessions of Crataegus azarolus have been individualised and collected in different regions of Italy and preliminarily described (Bignami and Kurzmann, 2000). The presence of flavonoids in leaf and flowers has been revealed by chemical analysis directed to the chemotaxonomy of these Italian ecotypes (Bignami and Kurzmann, 1998), but the composition of their fruits is still unknown. The use of food as a medicine has gained increasing attention in the last years. The evaluation of the nutritional and medicinal value of the fruits could then support the exploitation of azarole. The pomological and analytical characterisation of the fruits of some accessions collected in Lazio and Emilia-Romagna was carried out in order to evaluate the potential for fresh consumption and for medicinal purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Samples of fruits were harvested at ripening time in 1998-1999. The pomological traits were described or measured on 20-30 fruits per accession. Titratable acidity and the Proc. Int. Conf. on MAP Eds. J. Bernath et al. Acta Hort. 597, ISHS 2003

Why Are Some Individuals Resistant to the Cardioprotective Effects of Aspirin?

It has been slightly more than 100 years since the synthesis, development, and commercialization of acetylsalicylic acid, the most widely consumed drug in the world. It is estimated that 35 000 kg are consumed daily in the United States and 6000 kg in the UK.1 Who would have ever thought that this widely consumed drug would achieve significant uses other than as an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory. The first report of a possible antithrombotic effect of aspirin appeared in 1953 in the Mississippi Valley Medical Journal .2 Dr Craven noticed that the patients who took Aspergum had a tendency to bleed more easily. He concluded that aspirin must be thinning the blood and because thrombosis of the coronary arteries led to myocardial infarction, if his patients took aspirin, they might be less prone to experiencing a myocardial infarction. See p 1650 These prescient observations were succeeded by the discovery by numerous investigators that aspirin could significantly decrease platelet function. In 1971, the mechanism by which aspirin inhibited platelet function began to unfold when Smith and Willis3 demonstrated that aspirin inhibited platelet prostaglandin synthesis. It was subsequently shown that aspirin irreversibly acetylated serine-529 close to the active site of the fatty acid cyclooxygenase (COX).4 In the case of the anucleate platelet, the enzyme is rendered inactive for its lifetime. Samuelsson and co-workers5 demonstrated that thromboxane A2 along with prostaglandin H2 were the arachidonic acid metabolites responsible for activation of the platelet. Thromboxane A2 is also a very effective vasoconstrictor and mitogenic substance. After the discovery of thromboxane A2, numerous studies followed that investigated its potential role in thrombotic cardiovascular diseases. Platelet thromboxane A2 synthesis is increased in acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, thrombolysis therapy, percutaneous transluminal coronary artery angioplasty, and …

Studies on the hawthorn (Crataegus azarolusL.): III. A potential rootstock for ‘Golden Delicious9 apple and ‘Williams’ pear

Seedlings of the hawthorn Crataegus azarolus L. were budded with ‘Williams’ pear and ‘Golden Delicious’ apple and followed for compatibility, growth control, precocity and suckering. Four years of observations indicated that the hawthorn is compatible with ‘Williams’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, conferring growth control and precocity; and producing suckers profusely. On the other hand, bud break in ‘Williams’ started 10 d earlier and gave longer shoots than ‘Golden Delicious’. Delayed symptoms of incompatibility and long-term reciprocal influences require further study.

Lichens from Har Meron (Jebel Jermak), Upper Galilee

Twenty species, collected for the first time from Har Meron in Israel, are reported and their worldwide distribution recorded. Insofar as they were determined, the lichen acids of these species are indicated and the crystals used for their identification illustrated. Har Meron (Jebel Jermak3) presents a challenge because no previous lichen collections from this mountain and its environs have been reported, and to our knowledge no lichenological research there has ever been made before. Har Meron differs physiographically from any other region in Israel. It is located about seven kilometers west of the city of Safad, and covers an area of approximately six square kilometers. Har Meron forms the peak of the mountain belt that extends from the southern foot of Mt. Lebanon to the desert of the Sinai Peninsula. It is composed of three summits the northern (1,208 m), the western (1,104 m), and the eastern (1,151 m) -which are about 1.6 kilometers apart. While the western slope is gentle, the northern and eastern ones are more abrupt. The climate is biseasonal, with winter precipitations only (mainly rain, occasionally snow). The total precipitation is the highest in Israel (annual average over 1,200 mm) and the temperature is the lowest (averages: annual 120C, max. July 190C, min. January 60C). The area discussed is notable by its rich flora (Zohary 1962). It comprises a mixture of deciduous species and evergreens, with Quercus calliprinos and Pistacia palaestina as the dominant representatives of the association. These are accompanied by other Mediterranean trees and shrubs such as Laurus nobilis, Phillyrea media, Rhamnus palaestina, Crataegus azarolus, and Cercis siliquastrum. Several other trees Quercus boissieri, Acer syriacus, Pyrus syriaca, Prunus ursina, Juniperus oxycedrus, and Sorbus trilobata are confined to this area and find here their southernmost limit of distribution. This Mediterranean part of the country affords a more suitable habitat for fruticose and foliose lichens than the rest of the country. In the following, the general distribution of each species mentioned is summarized, as far as the literature supplies such information. This reveals that many of the species collected from Har Meron 1 Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Israel National Academy of Science for a grant in support of this work. We thank Professor J. Poelt for his help in the determination of Lecanora muralis and L. radiosa var. subcircinata and Mr. A. Shub for the photographs of Figures 1-5. 2 Department of Botany, Tel-Aviv University, 155 Herzl Street, TelAviv, Israel. 8 Jebel Jermak is the Arabic name of this mountain; it is sometimes spelled Jebel Jannrmaq. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.114 on Thu, 26 May 2016 06:03:06 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 19661 GALUN & LAVEE: LICHENS FROM GALILEE 325 find their equivalents in various mountainous regions of the Mediterranean area while others have a wider range. Several of the species are limited in Israel to the summit of Har Meron; others are less specific. The number of species reported in this paper represents only a partial picture of the lichen flora of Har Meron. It should, therefore, be considered only a preliminary report upon the little explored lichen flora of that area. The formulae for the solutions used in the microcrystal tests and referred to in the captions for the illustrations of the crystals are the standard ones given by Asahina and Shibata (1954). The collections are deposited in the herbarium of Tel-Aviv University. ANAPTYCHIA CILIARIS (L.) Kjrb. in Mass., Mem. Lichenogr. 35. 1853. Lichen ciliaris L., Spec. Plant. 2: 1144. 1753. Collections: Common on trunks and branches of Quercus calliprinos, Pistacia palaestina, and Rhamnus palaestina. Reactions: K-, C-, PD-. Constituents demonstrated: None. Anaptychia ciliaris is apparently restricted to Europe, and is among the most common lichens in northern Europe (Kurokawa 1962).