Chinese crab apple, Tea crab apple, Hubei Haitang, Hubei crabapple
Malus hupehensis

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 12 m tall. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is purple-brown and flakes into rectangular plates. The freshly exposed bark is orange-brown. The flowers are white and on long stalks. They are 5 cm across and have 5 broadly overlapping petals. They have a scent. The fruit are rounded and flattened. They are deep red and 1 cm across. They hang in clusters on long slender stalks.

There are about 35 Malus species and very many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to China. It grows in mountain woodlands. It can grow in full sun and part shade. It needs moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 4-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, China, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a substitute for tea. The sour fruit is eaten. The fruit are used for wine.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Malus theifera Rehder; Pyrus huphensis Pamp.;