crab apple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Crab Apple
• European Crab Apple
• Pommier Sauvage

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pyrus malus proles acerba
• Malus sylvestris var. glabra
• Pyrus malus var. glabra
• Malus sylvestris subsp. acerba
• Malus acerba var. barcinonensis
• Pyrus malus var. sylvestris
• Malus sylvestris var. hortulana
• Pyrus agriomelos
• Malus sylvestris var. apetala
• Pyrus acerba
• Malus sylvestris var. aprilovii
• Malus sylvestris var. astracanica
• Pyrus pomum
• Malus sylvestris var. microphylla
• Malus bulgarica
• Malus communis var. sylvestris
• Malus communis subsp. sylvestris
• Malus aprilovii
• Malus acerba
• Crataegus grata
• Malus sylvestris var. bulgarica
• Malus sylvestris var. typica
• Malus barcinonensis
• Malus communis subsp. acerba
• Malus communis var. acerba
• Pyrus malus f. barcinonensis
• Pyrus malus subsp. sylvestris
• Malus sylvestris var. rhodopaea
• Pyrus sylvestris
• Pyrus malus var. acerba
• Malus rhodopaea
• Pyrus malus acerba
• Malus sylvestris var. sylvestris
• Pyrus malus subsp. acerba

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 class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Malus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Malus sylvestris, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscapes of Denmark. Furthermore, its presence extends to the northern reaches of Finland. The species is also well-established within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range includes the coastal and inland areas of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Malus sylvestris is characterized by its specific preference for forest habitats, where it typically thrives within shaded or semi-shaded woodland environments. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 1000 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Within these forested ecosystems, its distribution and growth are closely tied to the specific microclimates and soil conditions found at these mid-to-high altitude forest belts.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Malus sylvestris is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on woody branches that extend well above the ground level, a structural adaptation that protects its vital tissues during unfavorable environmental conditions. This phanerophyte life form is consistently reflected in its growth habit, ensuring that its reproductive and vegetative structures remain elevated throughout its long life cycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Malus sylvestris is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of its stature, the tree exhibits significant vertical development, with a minimum height of 2 m and a maximum height reaching up to 10 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 9.33 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

9.33333333333333 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Malus sylvestris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for temperate woody species utilizing the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional root-based nutrient uptake from the soil rather than the digestion of prey. Morphologically, its foliar characteristics include a mean leaf size of approximately 29.1014 cm², which contributes to its overall surface area for gas exchange. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 187.51 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the relationship between its leaf area and dry mass, providing insight into its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

29.1014 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

187.51 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Malus sylvestris is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and extends through June. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent, necessitating cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as a berry (pome). These fruits have an average length of 2.92 cm and an average width of 3.03 cm. The dispersal syndrome is zoochorous, specifically endozoochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed via the digestive tracts of animals. The seeds themselves are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0256065 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.02086 g to a maximum of 0.0319 g) and a consistent seed volume of 32 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

2.92 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

3.03 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0319 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0256065 g

Seed mass min:

0.02086 g

Seed volume max:

32 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Malus sylvestris has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Procyanidin B2.

Procyanidin B2

1. Journal of cosmetic dermatology

Activities

Malus sylvestris has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hydrating.

Hydrating

1. International journal of cosmetic science