Practical
Plants

Malus ioensis

Prairie 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
5 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[2][4][5][9]. Up to 4cm in diameter[8]. Harsh and astringent[1, 227, K], it is best baked or made into preserves. It makes excellent jellies and cider[8].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

Wood - heavy. Of no commercial importance[8].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Central N. America - Indiana to Minnesota, south to Texas and Louisiana.
Habitat
Open woods, thickets, pastures, along streams etc, with a preference for calcareous soils[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
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, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[1][6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes chalky soils, this is especially true for the cultivar 'Plena'[6]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[6]. A slow-growing and short-lived species in the wild[8], it produces suckers from the roots and often forms thickets[7]. This species is closely related to M. coronaria[1]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus[6]. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[6]. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[6]. The plant fruits very heavily in southern Britain[K]. 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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  4. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

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

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  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↩8

  7. McGregor. R. L. & Barkley. T. M. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas. 1986-00-00 ISBN 070060295x

    ↩1↩2

  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↩4

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

    ↩

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