Crabapples are deciduous, small trees or shrubs with imbricate (scaly) buds. Leaves are toothed or lobed. Flowers are perfect and showy. Fruit is the classic example of a pome and is usually conspicuous. Many species and cultivars are planted as small, ornamental trees with attractive flowers and fruits. The native species is given below.
Malus coronaria–Wild Sweet Crabapple
Wild Sweet Crabapple–Malus coronaria
Sweet crab is a spreading tree of small to medium size reaching 10—30 feet in height. The tree is urban-tolerant but must be used where the falling fruit does not cause trouble and where the defoliation by apple scab is not a concern.
Leaves are ovate to oblong and 2—4 inches (5—10 cm) long. Leaf margins are irregularly toothed. Vigorous shoots are sparingly lobed. The medium green leaves have acute leaf tips and usually have rounded leaf bases. New leaves are hairy, becoming smooth (glabrous). Small, short, threadlike, black glands are present on the upper midrib of the leaves.
Buds are reddish-brown and ovoid in shape. Twigs are lightly armed. Some twigs are modified as spines. Spines are more commonly found in the interior of the tree.
The flowers are pink, sometimes fading to white, and very fragrant. The attractive flowers resemble the common apple bloom. Flowers scent the May landscape. Fruit is greenish and ripens in September. The fruit is large (1 inch [25 mm] diameter) and can create a litter problem as the deteriorating fruit attracts bees and wasps. Fruit can be used to make crabapple jelly.