Apples And Crabapples
ExplorePlants
Apples And Crabapples
malus
The genus Malus, comprising apples and crabapples, consists of small to medium-sized deciduous trees celebrated globally for their beautiful spring blossoms and nutrient-rich fruit. Originating in the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, these trees have played an instrumental role in human history, agriculture, and folklore. While sweet domestic apples are highly prized for fresh eating, wild crabapples—defined by their smaller, tarter fruit—serve as vital ecological keystones, providing key forage for native wildlife and essential pollen for domestic apple varieties.
Habitat: Found in temperate forests, woodlands, agricultural edges, and suburban gardens across the Northern Hemisphere.
Appearance
Malus species typically feature rounded, spreading crowns and grayish-brown, scaly bark. In the spring, they are easily recognized by their spectacular clusters of five-petaled flowers, which range from pure white to vibrant pink. Their alternate, oval leaves have serrated margins and slightly fuzzy undersides. The fruit, or pome, varies widely in size from tiny, pea-sized wild crabapples to large, cultivated varieties, showing colors of yellow, green, or deep red.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceae
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Apples belong to the rose family (Rosaceae), making them botanical relatives of roses, plums, and peaches.
Because air pockets make up about 25% of their total volume, fresh apples will easily float in water.
There are over 7,500 known cultivars of domestic apples, meaning it would take more than 20 years to try them all if you ate a different one every day.
Special abilities
Ability
Self-Incompatibility
Most Malus trees cannot self-pollinate, requiring pollen from a genetically distinct individual of the same genus to produce fruit, which ensures high genetic diversity.
Ability
Cold Hardiness
They undergo cold acclimation to withstand sub-zero winter temperatures, using a specific period of winter chill to break bud dormancy in spring.
Ability
Chemical Seed Defense
Their seeds contain amygdalin, a chemical compound that releases toxic hydrogen cyanide when chewed, deterring seed predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 200-1500 cm
- Lifespan
- 30-150 years
Diet & Feeding
As photosynthetic plants, Malus species synthesize their own chemical energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soil Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Ecological connections
mutualism
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Honey bees act as primary pollinators, transferring pollen between flowers while collecting sweet nectar.
eaten by
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Codling Moth
Cydia pomonella
The larvae of the codling moth feed inside the apple fruit, causing significant damage to the crop.
parasite
Cedar-Apple Rust
Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae
This fungal pathogen cycles between eastern red cedars and apple trees, causing rust-colored spots on leaves and fruit.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
White-tailed deer feed heavily on fallen crabapples and apples during the autumn months, aiding in seed dispersal.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Apples And Crabapples?
The easiest way to identify Apples And Crabapples is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Apples And Crabapples?
200-1500 cm
How long does Apples And Crabapples live?
30-150 years
What does Apples And Crabapples eat?
As photosynthetic plants, Malus species synthesize their own chemical energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Where is Apples And Crabapples usually found?
Found in temperate forests, woodlands, agricultural edges, and suburban gardens across the Northern Hemisphere.
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Where to spot
Park30 sightings19 species
New York, US
Coindre Hall Park
You might spot Red Maple, Black Tupelo, and Sensitive Fern.
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Park28 sightings12 species
Pennsylvania, US
Ole Bull State Park
You might spot Eastern Skunk Cabbage and American Hornbeam.
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Park24 sightings10 species
Kansas, US
Fairway Woods Park
You might spot Currants and Gooseberries, Red Maple, and Virginia Creeper.
View guide →
Park84 sightings6 species
Virginia, US
Lemon Road Park
You might spot Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade and White Avens.
View guide →
Park60 sightings5 species
Colorado, US
Observatory Park
You might spot Common Dandelion, Apples and Crabapples, and Dwarf Mallow.
View guide →
