Practical
Plants

Malus sylvestris

Crab 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
10 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[20][5]. Used for jellies, preserves and juices[7]. The flavour improves considerably if the fruit is not harvested until it has been frosted[3]. The fruit is quite variable in size (it is about 2 - 4cm in diameter[9]) and quality. Whilst usually harsh and acid, some forms are quite sweet and can be eaten out of hand[K]. The fruit is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam etc[17][4]. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation[10]. An edible oil can be obtained from the seed[15]. It would only really be viable to use these seeds as an oil source if the fruit was being used for some purpose such as making cider and then the seeds could be extracted from the remaining pulp[K]. A very pleasant tea can be made from the leaves[19].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Pectin
Product or use
Tea

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 fruit is astringent and laxative[15][20]. The crushed fruit pulp can be used as a poultice to heal inflammations or small flesh wounds[19]. The fruit is eaten to obviate constipation[13]. The bark, and especially the root bark, is anthelmintic, refrigerant and soporific[11][13]. An infusion is used in the treatment of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers[15][13]. The leaves contain up to 2.4% of an antibacterial substance called 'florin'[13]. This inhibits the growth of a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in as low a concentration as 30 ppm[13].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Refrigerant

Material uses

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

The fruit is a source of pectin[17][4]. Pectin is used as a thickener in jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories. A red to yellow dye is obtained from the bark[14]. The wood is an excellent fuel[18].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Pectin

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
Woods, scrub and hedges, especially in oak woods, on neutral to calcareous soils[20][6][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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[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. 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, including heavy ones, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[1][21][9]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[8][9]. Fairly tolerant of cutting, it succeeds in a mixed hedgerow[8]. A parent of the cultivated apple[2], it is often used as a rootstock[16]. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[9]. The plant has over 90 associated insect species[12]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[9]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[9].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

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  4. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

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  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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

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  8. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. 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

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

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

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  12. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

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  13. 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↩5

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

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  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  18. Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961-00-00

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  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  20. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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