Practical
Plants

Malus domestica

Apple

a deciduous fruit tree or shrub of the Malus genus in the family Rosaceae. Cultivated globally on an industrial scale, it represents a major food crop and has been selectively bred to produce numerous varied cultivars.

Red Discovery apples growing on a branch
Discovery apples.jpg by Bob Balmer ·CC BY 2.0 · Resized for the web

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Malus
Habit
tree, shrub
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
9 (unit unspecified)
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
white, pink

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.

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.

Compounds
Hydrogen cyanide
Level
low
Part
Seed

Edible uses

Apples are one of the most common and widely grown fruits of the temperate zone. There are a great many named varieties with differing flavours ranging from sour to sweet and textures from dry and mealy to crisp and juicy. There is also a wide range in the seasons of ripening with the first fruits being ready in Summer whilst other cultivars are not picked until late autumn and will store for 12 months or sometimes more. See individual cultivars for more details.

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Fruit

Desert cultivars are sweet and often eaten fresh. Some cooking cultivars may be too tart or astringent to be eaten raw, and require cooking.

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Jam, Jelly, Butter, Sauce, Chutney

Apples can be peeled, cored, and cooked down into a range of jams, jellies, butters, sauces and chutneys. Desert apple cultivars are often preferred for jams and jellies, while tarter cooking cultivars are often used for sauces and chutneys. Their high pectin content makes them a great base to mix with other fruits which lack pectin of their own.

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Dried, Dehydrated
Product or use
Dried fruit

Slices of Apples can be sun dried or dehydrated and kept in a airtight container for many months.

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Dried
Product or use
Fruit leather

Apple pulp forms a great fruit leather either by itself or a base to be blended with other fruits.

Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Oil

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.

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Antibacterial
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Astringent, Laxitive
Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Stomachic
Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Odontalgic, Dentifrice
Plant part
Bark

Material uses

Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Oil, Lighting
Plant part
Stem, Wood
Preparation
Dried
Product or use
Fuel, Firewood
Plant part
Stem, Wood
Preparation
Dried, Sawn
Product or use
Timber
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Pectin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Forage

Details
The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[9].
Forage
Birds

Environment

Range
A hybrid of garden origin, mainly involving M. sylvestris and M. pumila[9]..
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

seed

This species is a hybrid and will not breed true from seed, though some interesting new fruiting cultivars can be produced.. It is 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[9]. 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.

cutting

Cuttings of mature wood, November in a frame[3].

graft

Cuttings are often grafted to dwarfing rootstocks to keep the canopy low enough for easy harvesting.

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
Yes
Cutting Type
hard wood

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[21][24]. Grows well in heavy clay soils, though if these are poorly drained there could be problems with diseases such as canker[24]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[21][24]. Tolerates a pH range from 6 to 7, preferring a range of 6.5 to 6.8[24].

The apple is one of the most commonly cultivated fruit crops in the temperate zone. The primary climatic requirements for the production of good quality fruit are warm summer temperatures, relative freedom from spring frosts, reasonable protection from the wind (especially cold north and east winds) and an evenly distributed rainfall of about 600 - 800mm per annum[24]. Good apple production has been achieved as far north as 65°, whilst about 1000 hours of winter temperatures below 7°c are necessary to initiate flower production[27]. However good quality apples can still be produced in other areas with careful management and choice of cultivars[24]. Even in tropical latitudes, the plant has succeeded at high elevations, producing fruit at elevations over 3000 metres in Ecuador for example[27]. Where space is at a premium, or at the limits of their climatic range, apples can be grown against a wall. Most cultivars will grow well against a sunny south or west facing wall, an east facing wall will suit many of the tougher cultivars and even a north facing wall can be used for early culinary cultivars[26].

A hybrid of mixed origins, including M. dasyphylla, M. praecox, M. pumila, M. sieversii and M. sylvestris, this species is very commonly cultivated in temperate areas for its edible fruit[22]. There are very many cultivars[28][23][24] and with careful choice of these cultivars it is possible to provide freshly harvested fruit from July to December and stored fruit for the rest of the year.

Growing apples near potatoes makes the potatoes more susceptible to blight[25]. Apples store better if they are grown in a sward that contains a high percentage of clover[25].

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[24].

Crops

Fruit

The huge array of cultivars for this species offer a variety of fruiting times. With careful choice of cultivars it is possible to provide freshly harvested fruit from mid-summer to mid-winter and stored fruit for the rest of the year.

Requires processing
No
Storable
Yes
Storage
Apples lose their flavour if they are stored with potatoes[6] and will in turn impart a bitter flavour to carrots and potatoes if they are stored in the same area[10]. Wrapping maple leaves (Acer spp) around apples in store helps to preserve the apples[6][8].

Problems, pests and diseases

Plants in the Malus genus are susceptible to Armillaria (Honey Fungus))[9]. A spray of the infused leaves of Equisetum can be used against Venturia inaequalis (Scab) [6][10]. Armillaria = Honey

  • Armillaria
  • Venturia inaequalis

Associations and interactions

Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)

Allium schoenoprasum (Chive) or other members of the Allium genus are grown under apple trees it is reported to assist in the prevention of scab.

Digitalis

Erysimum cheiri (Wallflower)

Taraxacum

Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)

References

  1. Ken Fern Malus Domestica Plants For A Future 2012/07/27 http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Malus+domestica

  2. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01

    ↩

  4. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

  5. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 32202/01/01

  6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

  8. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

  12. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

  13. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0889025649

  14. 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. 32202/01/01

  15. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 32202/01/01

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 32202/01/01

  18. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

  19. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

  20. Ken Fern [Malus Domestica] Plants For A Future (2012/07/27)

  21. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  22. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  23. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  24. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  25. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  26. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  27. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  28. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)

    ↩

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