Siberian crabapple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Siberian crabapple
• flowering crabapple
• Siberian Crab
• Chinese Crab Apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malus microcarpa baccata
• Sinomalus baccata
• Pyrus baccata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Malus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range includes the territory of Great Britain. Moving into Eastern Europe, the species can be found throughout the Baltic States. Its distribution continues across the vast landscapes of Central European Russia and East European Russia. Finally, the plant is also documented within Northwest European Russia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Malus baccata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and a preference for specific vegetational structures. It thrives across a diverse elevational gradient, ranging from lowland areas at 50 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 3100 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 775 m AMSL. Its preferred habitats include various forest ecosystems, particularly along forest edges and within shrubberies, where it can capitalize on the varying levels of light and shelter provided by these transitional zones.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

775 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Malus baccata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Structurally, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, which indicates that its perennating buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground level. This growth strategy ensures long-term survival and the ability to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Malus baccata is characterized by its stature and growth habit, primarily manifesting as a woody tree or shrub. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without being an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber, maintaining a robust structure that reaches significant heights. Specifically, its vertical growth typically ranges from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 14 m, with an average plant height of approximately 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

14 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Malus baccata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by its leaf morphology, which exhibits significant dimensional variability. The leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, with an average leaf length of 5.5 cm. In terms of width, the leaves vary from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, contributing to the overall surface area available for light interception and gas exchange.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Malus baccata is characterized by its bisexual sexual reproduction system, featuring flowers that typically range in length from 3 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. These flowers are arranged in inflorescences that are relatively small, with lengths varying between 0.05 m and 0.07 m. The flowering period is highly flexible and variable, with potential blooming occurring across all months of the year, starting as early as December. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that are small and somewhat uniform in size, with a mean length of 0.9 cm (ranging from 0.8 cm to 1 cm) and a mean width of 0.9 cm (ranging from 0.8 cm to 1 cm). The seeds contained within these fruits are minute, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0174 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.006872 g to a maximum of 0.03846 g. Dispersal of the progeny is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, meaning the seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower length max:

3.5 cm

Flower length min:

3 cm

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.07 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.03846 g

Seed mass mean:

0.017410667 g

Seed mass min:

0.006872 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Malus baccata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Deoxypodophyllotoxin, etoposide.

(-)-Deoxypodophyllotoxin

1. Journal of the American Chemical Society

etoposide

1. Journal of the American Chemical Society