Practical
Plants

Malus baccata

Chinese Crab

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Malus genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Malus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
15 m
Spread
15 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[11][2]. Fruit from the typical species is about 1cm in diameter, though there are sub-species and cultivated forms with considerably larger fruits[6]. A sour taste, but the fruit is palatable[2, K]. It is often dried for winter use[13] and also makes an excellent jelly[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A paste of the fruit is applied to the forehead to relieve headaches[9].

Product or use
Anodyne

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant can be used as a rootstock for apple cultivars. It produces a vigorous tree that has more cold tolerance and disease resistance[5]. It is commonly used as stock to graft Malus pumila and M. asiatica in N and NE China[8]. The sub-species M. baccata himalaica is more often used for this purpose.

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Open forested areas to elevations of 1800 - 3600 metres[12][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[6]. 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[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils including heavy ones[1][14], preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[6]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[6]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[4]. The plants are very resistant to disease[10]. This species is cultivated for its edible fruit in China, there are several named varieties[7]. The sub-species M. baccata mandschurica. (Maxim.)Schneid. has slightly larger fruits which ripen earlier than the type[1][6]. Trees can produce fruit in 4 years from seed[4]. A very ornamental tree[1], the fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[6]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  4. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

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  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

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  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  14. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

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