Malus x robusta

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked^[1]. The fruit is rather variable in size and is usually about 1 - 3cm in diameter^[2]. A firm and juicy flesh with rather an acid flavour, we found it pleasant in small quantities when fully ripe[K].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

Used as a vigorous winter-hardy rootstock for the cultivated apple, M. sylvestris domestica, it is somewhat resistant to fireblight but susceptible to crown rot^[1].

There are no material uses listed for Malus x robusta.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Malus x robusta.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Rootstock

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - this is a hybrid species and will not breed true. The seed 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^[2]. 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].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Malus x robusta. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil^[4]^[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation^[4]^[2].

The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds^[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus^[2]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value^[1]. 'Fairy' and 'Joan' both have larger fruits than the type, up to 4cm in diameter^[2].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus^[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Malus x robusta. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Malus x robusta.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

References

? ^1.0^1.1^1.2^1.3^1.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
? ^2.0^2.1^2.2^2.3^2.4^2.5^2.6^2.7^2.8^2.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
? ^4.0^4.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

[PFAFimport-183-1] ? ^1.0^1.1^1.2^1.3^1.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)

[PFAFimport-200-2] ? ^2.0^2.1^2.2^2.3^2.4^2.5^2.6^2.7^2.8^2.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

[PFAFimport-11-3] ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

[PFAFimport-1-4] ? ^4.0^4.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Article is incomplete	Yes +
Article requires citations	No +
Article requires cleanup	Yes +
Belongs to family	Rosaceae +
Belongs to genus	Malus +
Functions as	Rootstock +
Has binomial name	Malus x robusta +
Has drought tolerance	Intolerant +
Has edible part	Fruit +
Has edible use	Unknown use +
Has fertility type	Insects +
Has flowers of type	Hermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone	3 +
Has lifecycle type	Perennial +
Has mature height	12 +
Has mature width	10 +
Has search name	malus x robusta +
Has shade tolerance	Light shade +
Has soil ph preference	Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preference	Sandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has soil water retention preference	Well drained +
Has sun preference	Full sun +
Has taxonomic rank	Species +
Has taxonomy name	Malus x robusta +
Has water requirements	moderate +
Inhabits ecosystem niche	Secondary canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreen	Deciduous +
Is herbaceous or woody	Woody +
Is taxonomy type	Species +
PFAF cultivation notes migrated	No +
PFAF edible use notes migrated	No +
PFAF material use notes migrated	No +
PFAF medicinal use notes migrated	Yes +
PFAF propagation notes migrated	No +
PFAF toxicity notes migrated	No +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soil	No +
Uses mature size measurement unit	Meters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.	Malus x robusta +