This deciduous tree or shrub, coming from the southeastern regions of Europe and from western Asia, is cultivated in all Europe for its fruits: they are used for the preparation of various jams. The tree is now common in many regions of central and northern Europe and in Great Britain, too. It can reach 6 m of tallness. Its flowers are similar to the Hawthorn's, but they are lonely and bigger and they blossom from the end of May to the beginning of June. On the old specimens the leaves have long thorns.