Practical
Plants

Malus pumila

Paradise Apple

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
7 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, cooked in pies, cakes etc or fermented into cider[3]. The taste can be sweet and pleasant. The fruit can be up to 6cm in diameter[4].

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.

The bark, and especially the root bark, is anthelmintic, refrigerant and soporific[6][7]. An infusion is used in the treatment of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers[7]. The fruit is said to dispel gas, dissolve mucous, cure flux and be a tonic for anaemia, bilious disorders and colic[6]. The leaves contain up to 2.4% of an antibacterial substance called 'phloretin'[7]. This inhibits the growth of a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in as low a concentration as 30 ppm[7]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'The cleansing remedy', 'Despondency' and 'Despair'[5].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Bach
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Refrigerant

Material uses

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

Used as a rootstock for the cultivated apples, there are several named varieties[9]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[8].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Greece and S.W. Asia.
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation[10].
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
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[4]. 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[2].

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][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[1][4]. A parent of the cultivated apple[4], it is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit and also as a dwarfing rootstock[9]. There are some named forms[4]. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[4]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[4].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  4. 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↩9

  5. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

    ↩

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  7. 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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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