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Uses

Toxic parts

All members of this genus contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide in their seeds and possibly also in their leaves, but not in their fruits. Hydrogen cyanide is the substance that gives almonds their characteristic taste but it should only be consumed in very small quantities. Apple seeds do not normally contain very high quantities of hydrogen cyanide but, even so, should not be consumed in very large quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw, cooked in pies, cakes etc or fermented into cider[1]. The taste can be sweet and pleasant. The fruit can be up to 6cm in diameter[2].

Fruit

Material uses

Used as a rootstock for the cultivated apples, there are several named varieties[3]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[4].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark, and especially the root bark, is anthelmintic, refrigerant and soporific[5][6]. An infusion is used in the treatment of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers[6].

The fruit is said to dispel gas, dissolve mucous, cure flux and be a tonic for anaemia, bilious disorders and colic[5]. The leaves contain up to 2.4% of an antibacterial substance called 'phloretin'[6]. This inhibits the growth of a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in as low a concentration as 30 ppm[6].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'The cleansing remedy', 'Despondency' and 'Despair'[7].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Rootstock

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It usually germinates in late winter. Stored seed requires stratification for 3 months at 1°c and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is received[2]. It might not germinate for 12 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If given a rich compost they usually grow away quickly and can be large enough to plant out in late summer, though consider giving them some protection from the cold in their first winter. Otherwise, keep them in pots in a cold frame and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of mature wood, November in a frame[8].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Malus pumila. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[9][2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[9][2].

A parent of the cultivated apple[2], it is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit and also as a dwarfing rootstock[3]. There are some named forms[2]. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Malus pumila. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Malus pumila.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Malus pumila
Genus
Malus
Family
Rosaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    7 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Malus pumila0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Malus pumila0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Malus pumila0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Malus pumila0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. ISBN 85207 002 0 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

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    Facts about "Malus pumila"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRosaceae +
    Belongs to genusMalus +
    Functions asRootstock +
    Has binomial nameMalus pumila +
    Has common nameParadise Apple +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageMalus pumila0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height7 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antibacterial +, Bach +, Hypnotic + and Refrigerant +
    Has primary imageMalus pumila0.jpg +
    Has search namemalus pumila + and paradise apple +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMalus pumila +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSecondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Malus pumila +, Malus pumila +, Malus pumila +, Malus pumila +, Malus pumila +, Malus pumila + and Malus pumila +