Siberian crab apple, Chinese crab apple
Malus baccata

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub or small tree. It grows 9 m high. Its is a broad spreading shape. The bark is grey brown and flakes into square plates. The bark is red-brown when it is freshly exposed. The leaves are oval and 7.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They taper to a pointed tip. There are fine teeth around the edge. Leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. They are smooth on both sides. The flowers are white and in clusters on long stalks. Individual flowers are 4 cm across. The fruit are about 1 cm across. They are round and yellow or red. They are on long 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 E. Asia. It grows in woods and scrub. It suits hardiness zones 3-7. In Inner Mongolia.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Asia, Bhutan, Canada, China, Ecuador, Europe, Himalayas, India, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, North America, Northeastern India, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Tibet, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh, dried or preserved. They can be used for jelly or stewed. It is also used for vinegar and wine. The leaves are used for a tea drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ban mehal, Barol, Baror, Gar melo, Gwalam, Jangli seb, Katsbal, Kersappel, Khontli, Leejo, Lhizo, Liu, Mountain Chaste tree crabapple, Patol, Samania, Shan ding zi, Shanjingzi, Sohshur-um, Uril, Urilin chai, Wuril, Yagwangnamu

Synonyms

Malus baccata f. gracilis Rehder; Malus baccata f. jackii Rehder; Malus baccata var. sibirica C. K. Schneid.; Malus pallasiana Juz.; Malus sibirica (Maxim.) Kom., nom. illeg.; Pyrus baccata L.; Pyrus baccata var. aurantiaca Regel; Pyrus baccata var. genuina Regel;