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Crabapple

Researched by Lornelle Mendoza

Image of the Crabapple tree in the spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.Species:  Malus spp.
Common name:  Crabapple, the eating apple, cooking apple, culinary apple
Family:  Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Clade:  Angiosperms (flowering seed plants)

Coordinates:  39.70649347, -75.1201789

Tree Tag: 100 An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

Crabapple, which belongs to the Malus genus and includes domesticated apples, is a member of the larger Rosaceae, or rose family, which also includes cherries, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, and more. This group is characterized by woody trees and shrubs that prefer temperate climates. They’re highly adaptable to poor soil conditions, so this tree can tolerate pollution, soil acidity, and drought. Crabapple trees are deciduous and shed their leaves annually, so they are best viewed during the spring.

As angiosperms, crabapples belong to a large group of plants that produce flowers and fruits. The species produces eye-catching white, red or pink blossoms in early spring that attract bees for their nectar. The bees, in turn, transfer pollen between trees for reproduction. This species relies on bees to transfer pollen because it cannot self-fertilize. Read More

Vector illustration of a crabapple leaf.
An image of the bark of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the fruits of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the branches of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the bark of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the branches of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the leaf of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the fruits of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the crabapple tree in the spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the branches of the crabapple tree in the spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowers of the crabapple tree in the spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowers of the crabapple tree in the spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the crabapple tree in spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowers of the crabapple tree in the spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the crabapple tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of Crabapple Flower and Buds in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of Crabapple Flower and Buds in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of Crabapple Flower and Buds in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.

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Campus Species Map
Student Researcher

A photo of Lornelle Mendoza, student in the Plan Diversity course working with the Rowan University Arboretum Project.Lornelle Mendoza

Lornelle Mendoza earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 2022. 

Suggested Citation:

Mendoza, Lornelle. (2021, Dec). Crabapple. Rowan University Arboretum. Glassboro, NJ. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/crabapple/

Questions to Explore

 

  • Why are Crabapple trees able to tolerate drought?
  • Can the fruit of the Crabapple be used to help with health conditions?
  • What is “Fire Blight,” and how does this disease affect trees in the Rosaceae family?
  • How were Crabapples important to Native Americans and early settlers?

References

Yale University. (2015, February 3). Crabapple Tree. Crabapple Tree | Yale Nature Walk. | Link

Li, H., Li, Y., Yu, J. et al. MdMYB8 is associated with flavonol biosynthesis via the activation of the MdFLS promoter in the fruits of Malus crabapple. Hortic Res 7, 19 (2020). | Link

Gilman, E. F., & Watson, D. G. (n.d.). Malus spp.: Crabapple. AskIFAS Powered by EDIS. | Link

Janoski, J., & Yiesla, S. (2021, June 2). Crabapple cultivars. The Morton Arboretum. | Link

Wartenberg, L. (2020, March 30). Can you eat crab apples? Healthline. | Link

Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). American crabapple. | Link

Liu, F., Wang, M., & Wang, M. (2018). Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of flowers, leaves and fruits of five crabapple cultivars (malus mill. species). Scientia Horticulturae, 235, 460-467. | Link

Chen, F., Li, F., Lu, L., Zhang, X., Xu, X. and Li, D. (2014), Phenolic profile and changes in the antioxidant activity of crabapple (Malus domestica cv Royalty) fruit during maturation on the tree. Int J Food Sci Technol, 49: 1680-1688.
| Link

 

Rowan University Resources:

You may need to log into the Rowan University Library website.

Native Trees of the Midwest: Identification, Wildlife Value, and Landscaping Use | Link

How does Malus crabapple resist ozone? | Link

Phenotypic variation of floral organs in flowering crabapples and its taxonomic significance. | Link

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