Oregon Crab apple, Pacific crab apple
Malus fusca

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It is often shrubby and forms dense thickets. The leaves may or may not have lobes. The flowers are pink to white. They occur singly. They are in the axils of leaves near the ends of branches. The fruit are 12-20 mm long. They are red, or yellow with red patches.

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

Where it is found

Temperate. It grows in swampy woods and along streams. It can tolerate a wide range of soils. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten raw or made into jelly, pies, preserves and apple sauce. The residual pulp after jelly can be sieved and added to breads, cakes and cookies. It is also fermented into cider.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by cuttings, root division or seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Malus diversifolia (Bong.) Roem; Pyrus diversifolia Bong.; Pyrus fusca; Malus rivularis (Douglas) Roem.;