Malus angustifolia

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Malus angustifolia
Malus angustifolia in October.jpg
Malus angustifolia (southern crabapple) in October
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Malus
Species:
M. angustifolia
Binomial name
Malus angustifolia
(Aiton) Michx. 1803 not Rehder 1940
Malus angustifolia range map.jpg
Natural range
Synonyms [2]
  • Pyrus angustifoliaAiton 1789
  • Malus coronaria var. puberula Rehder
  • Pyrus angustifolia var. puberula (Rehder) L.H.Bailey
  • Pyrus angustifolia var. spinosa (Rehder) L.H.Bailey

Malus angustifolia, or southern crabapple, [3] is a species of crabapple native to the eastern and south-central United States.

Contents

Blossoms Malus angustifolia 120366313.jpg
Blossoms

Description

M. angustifolia is a tree sometimes attaining a height of 10 meters (33 feet). The trunk can have a diameter up to 25 centimeters (10 inches). The flowers are pink, with a pleasant scent. The fruits are up to 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) in diameter, and have an aromatic scent and a pear-like shape; [4] [5] yellow-green in color, with some red when ripe. [6]

Taxonomy

The following two varieties are known: [2]

Distribution and habitat

The species can be found from Florida west to eastern Texas and north to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri. [7]

M. angustifolia prefers habitats that are moist but well-drained. For inflorescence to occur, full sunlight is required. [8] The species has been observed in habitat types such as dry hammocks, xeric flatwoods, mesic woodlands, floodplains, and pine woods. [9] [10]

Ecology

The fruits are eaten by various wildlife. [11]

Uses

Although the fruits are astringent, acidic, and unpalatable when raw, they can be used to make jellies, jams, and food preserves. [4] [5]

The tree is grown as an ornamental plant. [12]

References

  1. ↑ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; et al. (BGCI) (2020). "Malus angustifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T64134490A152906529. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T64134490A152906529.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 The Plant List, Malus angustifolia (Aiton) Michx.
  3. ↑ "Search results for: Malus". Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Flora of North America, Malus angustifolia (Aiton) Michaux, 1803. Southern or narrow-leaved crabapple
  5. 1 2 Malus angustifolia at Plants for a Future
  6. ↑ "Virginia Tech Dendrology Fact Sheet". Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  7. ↑ Biota of North America Program, 2014 county distribution map
  8. ↑ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  9. ↑ Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
  10. ↑ Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2018. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, R.K. Godfrey, Patricia Elliot, John C. Ogden, R L Lazor, L R Fox, K Craddock Burks, Gary R Knight, R A Norris, M R Darst, R Komarek, H Roth, M Jenkins, Elmar C Prichard. States and counties: Florida (Wakulla, Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Washington), Georgia (Thomas, Grady), North Carolina (Cumberland).
  11. ↑ Little, Elbert L. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. New York: Knopf. p. 489. ISBN   0-394-50760-6.
  12. ↑ "Southern crabapple". Florida Wildflower Foundation. March 17, 2017. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.


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