Malus prunifolia | |
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Malus prunifolia [1] | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Genus: | Malus |
Species: | M. prunifolia |
Binomial name | |
Malus prunifolia | |
Malus prunifolia is a species of crabapple tree known by the common names plumleaf crab apple, [4] plum-leaved apple, [5] pear-leaf crabapple, Chinese apple and Chinese crabapple. [6] It is native to China.
The number of chromosomes is 2n = 34. [7]
It reaches from between 3 and 8 metres (10 and 26 ft) tall and bears white flowers and yellow or red fruit. [3]
It was described botanically by Willdenow in the genus Pyrus and was transferred to Malus in 1803. [8]
Malus prunifolia has at least four varieties, some are grown for their fruit: [6] [9] [10]
Malus prunifolia is found in China in the provinces of Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, and possiblyXinjiang. It is adapted to grow at a variety of elevations from sea-level plains, to slopes as high as 1,300 m (4,300 ft). [3]
Outside of China, it is grown for use as an ornamental tree or as rootstock.[ citation needed ]