European crab apple
Malus sieboldii

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 10 m tall. It is a broad weeping shape. The bark is dark grey and cracks into small plates. The leaves are narrowly oval and 6 cm long by 3 cm wide. They taper to a point and have teeth. They are a matt deep green above and paler underneath. They are downy on both sides when young. They can have 3-5 lobes. The flowers are 2 cm across. They are pink in bud and open white. They have 5 petals and a scent. They occur in small clusters. The fruit is rounded and red or yellow. They are 1 cm across. They are on 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 Japan. It grows in moist, sunny locations. In southern China it grows between 150-2,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Arboretum Tasmania. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten after frost. They are also used for wine.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Crataegus cavalerei H. Lev. & Vaniot; Crataegus taquatii H. Lev.; Malus baccata subsp. toringo (K. Koch) Koidz.; Malus heterophylla Sumner; Malus sieboldii var. incisa Koidz.; Malus sieboldii var. toringo (K. Koch) Siebold ex C. K. Schneid.; Malus toringo Siebold; Malus toringo (K. Koch) Carriere; Photinia rubrolutea H. Lev.; Pyrus esquirolii H. Lev.; Pyrus sieboldi Regel; Pyrus subcrataegifolia H. Lev.; Pyrus toringo (K. Koch) Miq.; Sorbus toringo K. Koch;