Malus sylvestris
Rosaceae
April to May
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Crab Apple
Crab Apple is native and grows in hedgerows, woodland,
scrub and waste land.
Crab Apple is a small, deciduous, tree, growing up to 10m.
Flowers are up to 3cm across, and in clusters of between 4
and 7...
Each flower has 5 white or pink petals and up to 50 stamens
with creamy, yellow anthers.
There are 3 - 5 styles with slightly capitate stigmas.
Sepals are triangular and pointed.
Fruits are small appples up to 2cm across and green,
yellow or red with persistent sepals.
The small apples are usually sour and are used
to make Crab Apple jelly.
Leaves are ovate, weakly oothed and 3-4cm long.
There are several hybrids with introduced
crab apples and with domestic apples.
Introductions tend to be ornamental.
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....
Crab apples fruiting in October, West Dorset
.
.Crab Apple blossom in late April
Flower: 5 petals, 20 stamens and 3 styles
Ripe apples
Crab apples with persistent sepals
...
Section showing apple pips (seeds}
Leaves - upper surface
Leaves - lower surface
Gnarled trunk
Ornamental variety
Flower with 5 styles
..A second ornamental variety
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