Kirghiz apple, Kyrgyz apple
Malus kirghisorum

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10 m tall. The bark is dark grey. The crown is broad and umbrella shaped. The shoots are long and thin and do not have spines. The leaves are papery and 5-10 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are broadly sword shaped and taper to the base. There are a few hairs underneath. The flowers are large and 3-5 cm across and pale pink. The fruit vary in size, shape, colour and flavour. The fruit occur singly and are 3-8 cm across. The skin can be yellow, green or red.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in Kazakhstan between 1,200-1,800 m above sea level. It grows in deep forest soils. It is frost resistant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

How it is used for food

Fruit are eaten fresh and also made into cider, stewed and use for juice. They are also dried.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Malus sieversii subsp. kirghisorum (A. Fed. & Fed.) Likhonos;