# Malus

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"Crabapple" redirects here. For the cultivated fruit, see [Apple](/source/Apple). For the Australian tree, see [Pouteria eerwah](/source/Pouteria_eerwah). For other uses, see [Crabapple (disambiguation)](/source/Crabapple_(disambiguation)) and [Malus (disambiguation)](/source/Malus_(disambiguation))

***Malus*** (/ˈmeɪləs/[1] or /ˈmæləs/) is a [genus](/source/Genus) of about 32–57 [species](/source/Species)[2] of small [deciduous](/source/Deciduous) [trees](/source/Tree) or [shrubs](/source/Shrub) in the family [Rosaceae](/source/Rosaceae), including the domesticated orchard [apple](/source/Apple), **crab apples**, and **wild apples**.

The genus is [native](/source/Native_plant) to the [temperate](/source/Temperate) zone of the [Northern Hemisphere](/source/Northern_Hemisphere).

## Description

Apple trees are typically 4–12 metres (13–39 feet) tall at maturity, with a dense, twiggy crown. The [leaves](/source/Leaf) are 3–10 centimetres (1.2–3.9 inches) long, alternate, simple, with a serrated margin. The [flowers](/source/Flower) are borne in [corymbs](/source/Corymb), and have five [petals](/source/Petal), which may be white, pink, or red, and they are [perfect](/source/Plant_reproductive_morphology), with usually red stamens that produce copious [pollen](/source/Pollen), and a [half-inferior ovary](/source/Ovary_(botany)#Half-inferior_ovary). Flowering occurs in the spring after 50–80 [growing degree-days](/source/Growing_degree-day), varying greatly according to subspecies and [cultivar](/source/Cultivar).[citation needed]

Many apples require [cross-pollination](/source/Pollination#Mechanism) between individuals by [insects](/source/Insect) (typically [bees](/source/Bee), which freely visit the flowers for both [nectar](/source/Nectar) and [pollen](/source/Pollen)); these are called self-sterile, so self-pollination is impossible, making pollinating insects essential.[3]

A number of cultivars are self-pollinating, such as "Granny Smith" and "Golden Delicious", but there are fewer self-pollinating varieties than cross-pollinating ones.[citation needed] Several *Malus* species, including domestic apples, [hybridize](/source/Hybrid_(biology)) freely.[4]

The [fruit](/source/Fruit) is a globose [pome](/source/Pome), varying in size from 1–4 cm (0.39–1.57 in) in diameter in most of the wild species, to 6 cm (2.4 in) in *M. sylvestris sieversii*, 8 cm (3.1 in) in *M. domestica*, and even larger in certain cultivated orchard apples. The centre of the fruit contains five [carpels](/source/Gynoecium#Carpels) arranged star-like, each containing one or two [seeds](/source/Seed).[citation needed]

## Subdivision

36 species and 4 hybrids are accepted.[5] The genus *Malus* is subdivided into eight sections (six, with two added in 2006 and 2008).[citation needed] The oldest fossils of the genus date to the [Eocene](/source/Eocene) ([Lutetian](/source/Lutetian)), which are leaves belonging to the species *Malus collardii* and *Malus kingiensis* from western North America (Idaho) and the [Russian Far East](/source/Russian_Far_East) ([Kamchatka](/source/Kamchatka)), respectively.[6]

### Species

36 species and four natural hybrids are accepted:[5]

- *[Malus angustifolia](/source/Malus_angustifolia)* (Aiton) Michx. – southern crabapple
- *[Malus asiatica](/source/Malus_asiatica)* Nakai – Chinese pearleaf crabapple
- *[Malus baccata](/source/Malus_baccata)* (L.) Borkh. – Siberian crabapple
- *[Malus brevipes](/source/Malus_brevipes)* – shrub apple
- *[Malus coronaria](/source/Malus_coronaria)* (L.) Mill. – sweet crabapple
- *[Malus crescimannoi](/source/Malus_crescimannoi)* Raimondo
- *[Malus daochengensis](/source/Malus_daochengensis)* C.L.Li
- *[Malus delavayi](/source/Malus_delavayi)*[7] (Franch.) B.B.Liu
- *[Malus domestica](/source/Malus_domestica)* (Suckow) Borkh. – domestic or orchard apple
- *[Malus doumeri](/source/Malus_doumeri)* (Bois) A.Chev. – Taiwan crabapple
- *[Malus florentina](/source/Malus_florentina)* (Zuccagni) C.K.Schneid. – Florentine crabapple, hawthorn-leaf crabapple
- *[Malus fusca](/source/Malus_fusca)* (Raf.) C.K.Schneid. – Oregon or Pacific crabapple
- *[Malus halliana](/source/Malus_halliana)* Koehne – Hall crabapple
- *[Malus honanensis](/source/Malus_honanensis)* Rehder
- *[Malus hupehensis](/source/Malus_hupehensis)* (Pamp.) Rehder – tea crabapple
- *[Malus indica](/source/Malus_indica)*[8] (Wall.) B.B.Liu
- *[Malus ioensis](/source/Malus_ioensis)* (Alph.Wood) Britton – prairie crabapple
- *[Malus jinxianensis](/source/Malus_jinxianensis)* J.Q.Deng & J.Y.Hong
- *[Malus kansuensis](/source/Malus_kansuensis)* (Batalin) C.K.Schneid. – Calva crabapple
- *[Malus komarovii](/source/Malus_komarovii)* (Sarg.) Rehder
- *[Malus leiocalyca](/source/Malus_leiocalyca)* S.Z.Huang
- *[Malus longiunguis](/source/Malus_longiunguis)*[9] (Q.Luo & J.L.Liu) B.B.Liu
- *[Malus mandshurica](/source/Malus_mandshurica)* (Maxim.) Kom. ex Skvortsov
- *[Malus muliensis](/source/Malus_muliensis)* T.C.Ku
- *[Malus niedzwetzkyana](/source/Malus_niedzwetzkyana)* – Niedzwetzky's Apple
- *[Malus ombrophila](/source/Malus_ombrophila)* Hand.-Mazz.
- *[Malus orientalis](/source/Malus_orientalis)* Uglitzk.
- *[Malus prattii](/source/Malus_prattii)* (Hemsl.) C.K.Schneid. – Pratt's crabapple
- *[Malus prunifolia](/source/Malus_prunifolia)* (Willd.) Borkh. – plum-leaf crabapple, Chinese crabapple
- *[Malus rockii](/source/Malus_rockii)* Rehder – native to China and Bhutan
- *[Malus sikkimensis](/source/Malus_sikkimensis)* (Wenz.) Koehne – Sikkim crabapple
- *[Malus spectabilis](/source/Malus_spectabilis)* (Aiton) Borkh. – Asiatic apple, Chinese crabapple
- *[Malus spontanea](/source/Malus_spontanea)* (Makino) Makino - nokaidō
- *[Malus sylvestris](/source/Malus_sylvestris)* (L.) Mill. – European crabapple
- *[Malus toringo](/source/Malus_toringo)* (Siebold) de Vriese (syns. *[Malus sargentii](/source/Malus_sargentii)*, *[Malus sieboldii](/source/Malus_sieboldii)*) – Sargent crabapple, Toringo crabapple, or Siebold's crabapple
- *[Malus toringoides](/source/Malus_toringoides)* (Rehder) Hughes – cut-leaf crabapple
- *[Malus transitoria](/source/Malus_transitoria)* (Batalin) C.K.Schneid. – cut-leaf crabapple
- *[Malus trilobata](/source/Malus_trilobata)* (Labill. ex Poir.) C.K.Schneid. – Lebanese wild apple, erect crabapple, or three-lobed apple tree
- *[Malus turkmenorum](/source/Malus_turkmenorum)* Juz. & Popov (syn. *[Malus sieversii](/source/Malus_sieversii)*) – wild ancestor of cultivated species *[Malus domestica](/source/Malus_domestica)*
- *[Malus yunnanensis](/source/Malus_yunnanensis)* (Franch.) C.K.Schneid. – Yunnan crabapple
- *[Malus zhaojiaoensis](/source/Malus_zhaojiaoensis)* N.G.Jiang

**Hybrids**

- *[Malus × floribunda](/source/Malus_%C3%97_floribunda)* Siebold ex Van Houtte – Japanese flowering crabapple
- *[Malus × kaido](/source/Malus_%C3%97_kaido)* (Wenz.) Pardé (syn. *[Malus × micromalus](/source/Malus_%C3%97_micromalus)*) – midget crabapple
- *[Malus × soulardii](/source/Malus_%C3%97_soulardii)* (L.H.Bailey) Britton
- *[Malus × zumi](/source/Malus_%C3%97_zumi)* (Matsum.) Rehder

### Formerly placed here

- *[Macromeles tschonoskii](/source/Macromeles_tschonoskii)* (Maxim.) Koidz. (as *Malus tschonoskii* (Maxim.) C.K.Schneid.) – Chonosuki crabapple and pillar apple[citation needed]

### Selected artificial hybrids

- *[Malus × sublobata](/source/Malus_%C3%97_sublobata)* – yellow autumn crabapple (*M. asiatica* × *M. toringo*)

### Fossil species

After[6]

- *Malus collardii* Axelrod, North America (Idaho), [Eocene](/source/Eocene)
- *Malus kingiensis* Budants, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, Eocene
- *Malus florissantensis* (Cockerell) MacGinitie [Green River Formation](/source/Green_River_Formation), North America (Colorado) Eocene
- *Malus pseudocredneria* (Cockerell) MacGinitie Green River Formation, North America (Colorado) Eocene
- *Malus idahoensis* R.W.Br. North America (Idaho), [Miocene](/source/Miocene)
- *Malus parahupehensis* J.Hsu and R.W.Chaney [Shanwang](/source/Shanwang_National_Geological_Park), Shandong, China, Miocene
- *Malus antiqua* Doweld Romania, [Pliocene](/source/Pliocene)
- *Malus pseudoangustifolia* E.W.Berry North America (South Carolina), [Pleistocene](/source/Pleistocene)

## Cultivation

See also: [Fruit tree pollination](/source/Fruit_tree_pollination)

Crabapples are popular as compact ornamental trees, providing blossom in spring and colourful fruit in autumn. The fruits often persist throughout winter. Numerous hybrid cultivars have been selected.[citation needed]

Some crabapples are used as [rootstocks](/source/Rootstock) for domestic apples to add beneficial characteristics.[10] For example, the rootstocks of *[Malus baccata](/source/Malus_baccata)* varieties are used to give additional cold hardiness to the combined plants for orchards in cold northern areas.[11]

They are also used as [pollinizers](/source/Pollinizer) in apples [orchards](/source/Orchard). Varieties of crabapple are selected to bloom contemporaneously with the apple variety in an orchard planting, and the crabs are planted every sixth or seventh tree, or limbs of a crab tree are grafted onto some of the apple trees. In emergencies, a bucket or drum bouquet of crabapple flowering branches is placed near the beehives as orchard pollenizers.[citation needed]

Because of the plentiful blossoms and small fruit, crabapples are popular for use in [bonsai](/source/Bonsai) culture.[12][13][14]

### Cultivars

These cultivars have won the [Royal Horticultural Society](/source/Royal_Horticultural_Society)'s [Award of Garden Merit](/source/Award_of_Garden_Merit):[15]

- 'Adirondack'[16]
- 'Butterball'[17]
- 'Comtesse de Paris'[18]
- 'Evereste'[19]
- 'Jelly King'='Mattfru'[20]
- 'Laura'[21]
- *[Malus × robusta](/source/Malus_%C3%97_robusta)* 'Red Sentinel'[22]
- 'Sun Rival'[23]

Other varieties are dealt with under their species names.

## Toxicity

The seeds contain [cyanide](/source/Cyanide) compounds.[24]

## Uses

Crabapple fruit is not an important [crop](/source/Crop) in most areas. The fruit is rarely eaten raw due to the [sour](/source/Sour) taste resulting from high levels of [malic acid](/source/Malic_acid). Some species have a woody texture. In some [Southeast Asian](/source/Southeast_Asia) cultures, they are valued as a sour [condiment](/source/Condiment), sometimes eaten with salt and [chilli](/source/Chili_pepper) or [shrimp paste](/source/Shrimp_paste).[citation needed]

Some varieties of crabapple, such as the 'Chestnut' cultivar[25], are sweet.

Crabapples are an excellent source of [pectin](/source/Pectin). Using sugar and spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, their [juice](/source/Fruit_juice) can be made into ruby-coloured crab apple [jelly](/source/Jelly_(fruit_preserves)) with a full, spicy flavour.[26] A small percentage of crabapples in [cider](/source/Cider) makes a more interesting flavour.[27]

Applewood gives off a pleasant scent when burned, and smoke from an applewood fire gives an excellent flavour to [smoked](/source/Smoking_(cooking)) foods.[28] It is easier to cut when green; dry applewood is exceedingly difficult to carve by hand.[28] It is a good wood for cooking fires because it burns hot and slow, without producing much flame.[28] Applewood is used to make handles of [hand saws](/source/Hand_saw); in the early 1900s, 2,000,000 board feet of applewood were used annually for this purpose.[29]

## References

1. *Sunset Western Garden Book,* 1995:606–607

1. Phipps, James B.; Robertson, Kenneth R.; Smith, Paul G.; Rohrer, Joseph R. (1990). "A checklist of the subfamily Maloideae (Rosaceae)". *Can. J. Bot.*. **68** (10): 2209–2269. [Bibcode:1990CaJB...68.2209P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1990CaJB...68.2209P). [doi:10.1139/b90-288](https://doi.org/10.1139/b90-288)

1. coreyrametta (2019-06-11). ["Are Apple Trees Self Pollinating?"](https://coldhardyfruits.com/apple-trees/are-apple-trees-self-pollinating/). *Cold Hardy Fruits*. Retrieved 2024-05-02.

1. Ken Wilson and D.C. Elfving. ["Crabapple Pollenizers for Apples"](http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-011.htm). Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Retrieved 12 Sep 2013.

1. ["*Malus* Mill."](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30024474-2). *Plants of the World Online*. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 December 2023.

1. Liu, Bin-Bin; Ren, Chen; Kwak, Myounghai; Hodel, Richard G.J.; Xu, Chao; He, Jian; Zhou, Wen-Bin; Huang, Chien-Hsun; Ma, Hong; Qian, Guan-Ze; Hong, De-Yuan; Wen, Jun (May 2022). ["Phylogenomic conflict analyses in the apple genus Malus s.l. reveal widespread hybridization and allopolyploidy driving diversification, with insights into the complex biogeographic history in the Northern Hemisphere"](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jipb.13246). *Journal of Integrative Plant Biology*. **64** (5): 1020–1043. [Bibcode:2022JIPB...64.1020L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022JIPB...64.1020L). [doi:10.1111/jipb.13246](https://doi.org/10.1111/jipb.13246). [ISSN 1672-9072](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1672-9072). [PMID 35274452](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35274452). [S2CID 247384781](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:247384781)

1. Liu, Guang-Ning; Ma, Dai-Kun; Xu, Chao; Huang, Jian; Ge, Bin-Jie; Luo, Qiang; Wei, Yu; Liu, Bin-Bin (2023-07-07). "Malus includes Docynia (Maleae, Rosaceae): evidence from phylogenomics and morphology". *PhytoKeys*. '***(229): 47–60. [Bibcode:2023PhytK.229...47L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023PhytK.229...47L). [doi:10.3897/phytokeys.229.103888](https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.229.103888). [ISSN 1314-2003](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1314-2003). [PMC 10349307](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10349307). [PMID 37457385](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37457385)***

1. Liu, Guang-Ning; Ma, Dai-Kun; Xu, Chao; Huang, Jian; Ge, Bin-Jie; Luo, Qiang; Wei, Yu; Liu, Bin-Bin (2023-07-07). "Malus includes Docynia (Maleae, Rosaceae): evidence from phylogenomics and morphology". *PhytoKeys*. '***(229): 47–60. [Bibcode:2023PhytK.229...47L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023PhytK.229...47L). [doi:10.3897/phytokeys.229.103888](https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.229.103888). [ISSN 1314-2003](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1314-2003). [PMC 10349307](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10349307). [PMID 37457385](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37457385)***

1. Liu, Guang-Ning; Ma, Dai-Kun; Xu, Chao; Huang, Jian; Ge, Bin-Jie; Luo, Qiang; Wei, Yu; Liu, Bin-Bin (2023-07-07). "Malus includes Docynia (Maleae, Rosaceae): evidence from phylogenomics and morphology". *PhytoKeys*. '***(229): 47–60. [Bibcode:2023PhytK.229...47L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023PhytK.229...47L). [doi:10.3897/phytokeys.229.103888](https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.229.103888). [ISSN 1314-2003](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1314-2003). [PMC 10349307](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10349307). [PMID 37457385](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37457385)***

1. [Apple Tree Rootstocks Ecogardening Factsheet #21, Summer 1999](https://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/ecogardening/appleroot.html)

1. [Apple Rootstocks](http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/ag/21Applerootstocks.pdf), Alaska Department of Natural Resources [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080719050542/http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/ag/21Applerootstocks.pdf) 2008-07-19 at the Wayback Machine

1. Biel, John. ["Collecting and Training Crab Apples | American Bonsai Society"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160703060433/http://www.absbonsai.org/collecting-and-training-crab-apples). *www.absbonsai.org*. American Bonsai Society. Archived from [the original](http://www.absbonsai.org/collecting-and-training-crab-apples) on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.

1. ["Crabapple (Malus) - Bonsai Empire"](http://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/crabapple). *www.bonsaiempire.com*. Retrieved 2 August 2016.

1. Walston, Brent. ["Crabapples for Bonsai"](https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/crabappl.htm). *evergreengardenworks.com*. Retrieved 2 August 2016.

1. ["AGM Plants - Ornamental"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 63. Retrieved 2 April 2018.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder - *Malus* 'Adirondack'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/138380/i-Malus-i-Adirondack/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder - *Malus* 'Butterball'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/85932/i-Malus-i-Butterball/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. ["*Malus* 'Comtesse de Paris'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/328341/Malus-Comtesse-de-Paris/Details). RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder -*Malus* 'Evereste'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/116626/i-Malus-i-Evereste/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder - *Malus* Jelly King = 'Mattfru'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/299501/i-Malus-i-Font-Face-times-New-Roman-Jelly-King-FONT-Mattfru/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder - *Malus* 'Laura'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/124642/i-Malus-i-Laura/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder - *Malus* × *robusta* 'Red Sentinel'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/45895/i-Malus-i-×-i-robusta-i-Red-Sentinel/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. ["RHS Plantfinder - *Malus* 'Sun Rival'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/104053/i-Malus-i-Sun-Rival/Details). Retrieved 25 March 2018.

1. *The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants*. New York: [Skyhorse Publishing](/source/Skyhorse_Publishing). 2009. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-60239-692-0. [OCLC 277203364](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/277203364)

1. ["The Growing Guide"](http://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/plant-manuals/fruit-trees/apple-trees/chestnut-crabapple). Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140726022654/http://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/plant-manuals/fruit-trees/apple-trees/chestnut-crabapple) 2014-07-26 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Rombauer, I.; Becker, M. R.; Becker, E. (2002 [2002]). *All About Canning & Preserving (The Joy of Cooking series)*. New York: Scribner. p. 72. ISBN 0-7432-1502-8.

1. ["The Science of Cidermaking"](http://www.cider.org.uk/part1.htm). Andrew Lea. Retrieved November 14, 2013.

1. Fraser, Anna (22 August 2005). ["Properties of different trees as firewood"](http://www.the-tree.org.uk/). Retrieved 17 July 2008.

1. Burks, Jeff (2015). "Woods Used in Saw Handles". Lost Art Press, Traditional Hand-tool Skills. blog.lostartpress.com.

## External links

- [Germplasm Resources Information Network: *Malus*](https://web.archive.org/web/20070208143219/http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/articles/fruits_and_nuts/drescra.html)
- [Flora of China: *Malus*](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=119570)
- [Virginia Cooperative Extension - Disease resistant crabapples](http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/articles/fruits_and_nuts/drescra.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070208143219/http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/articles/fruits_and_nuts/drescra.html) 8 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- [The PRI disease resistant apple breeding program](https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/pri/default.html): a cooperative among [Purdue University](/source/Purdue_University), [Rutgers University](/source/Rutgers_University), and the [University of Illinois](/source/University_of_Illinois).

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