Sweet crab apple, Wild crab apple, Garland crab
Malus coronaria

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A very small deciduous tree. It grows up to 9 m high. The trunk is 30 cm across. The crown is irregular and spreading. The bark is red-brown and scaly. It develops cracks along it. The leaves are long triangle shaped. They are 3-10 cm long by 6 cm wide. The base is rounded or heart shaped. The teeth increase in size from the tip downwards and can become lobes near the base. The flowers are white streaked with pink. They occur in small clusters of 2-3. The fruit are almost round and 25-35 mm across. They are sour.

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

Where it is found

It is native to E. North America. Temperate. It grows in the shade of larger broad leafed trees. It grows in moist soils. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for preserves, pickles, marmalades and vinegar. They can be stored for an extended time to lose some of their acidity. They are also dried. They are also used for cider.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Malus bracteata Rehder; Malus coronaria var. dasycalyx Rehder; Malus fragrans Rehder; Malus glabrata Rehder; Malus glaucescens Rehder; Malus lancifolia Rehder; Pyrus coronaria L.;