Practical
Plants

Malus fusca

Oregon 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
Growth rate
slow
Height
12 m
Fertility
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[3][2]. Up to 2cm in diameter[8]. An agreeable sub-acid taste, it can be eaten out of hand or made into jellies, preserves etc[4]. The fruit can be left on the tree until there have been some autumn frosts, this will soften the fruit and make it somewhat less acid[K]. The fruit is rich in pectin so it can be added to pectin-low fruits when making jams or jellies[4][9]. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation[6].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Pectin

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.

Oregon crab was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[9]. In particular, it gained a reputation with some tribes as a heal-all, especially useful for treating any of the internal organs[9]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The trunk, bark and inner bark are antirheumatic, astringent, blood purifier, cardiac, diuretic, laxative and tonic[9]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of coughs, stomach ulcers, dysentery, diarrhoea, rheumatism and consumption[9]. The shredded bark has been used to treat blood spitting[9]. A poultice of the chewed bark has been applied to wounds[9]. An infusion of the bark is used as an eyewash[9]. a decoction of the bark is used as a wash on cuts, eczema and other skin problems[9]. An infusion of the bark, combined with wild cherry bark (Prunus sp.) has been used as a cure-all tonic[9]. The juice scraped from the peeled trunk has been used as an eye medicine[9]. The soaked leaves have been chewed in the treatment of lung problems[9].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

The fruit is a source of pectin[4]. Wood - hard, close grained, durable. Used for mallets, tool handles and bearings[3][11][12][2][7].

Product or use
Pectin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Habitat
Moist woods, stream banks, swamps and bogs in deep rich soils[10][11], usually occurring in dense pure thickets[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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[5]. 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, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[1][5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade, though it fruits less well in such a situation[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is slow-growing in the wild[8]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[5]. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[5]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. 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

  6. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩

  7. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩

  8. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  10. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  11. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

  12. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩

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