Crabapple
Malus spp.
Family Rosaceae

Characteristics:
* Leaves vary by species, usually toothed, sometimes long-pointed and sometimes wedge-shaped, of various widths, 1-5".
* Leaf and twig undersides sometimes hairy.
* Bark scaly, non-striped, sometimes spiny. Branches usually somewhat gnarled.
* Fruits green, turning red on ripening in autumn, several-seeded, bitter, 1-2".
* Flowers white to pale pink, with 5 petals, usually in clusters, 1 1/2".
* Height: 15-30'.

Natural History:
* Flowers in spring.
* Fruits in autumn.
* Habitat: Where planted; orchards, meadows, thickets, as an ornamental tree.
* Range: Throughout the United States.
* Native.

Connections!
* Although crabapples are much more acidic and bitter than cultivated apples and therefore not widely eaten by humans, grosbeaks and deer enjoy the small, hard fruits.

* Early American pioneers made tangy cider and jelly out of crabapples.

* Several varieties of crabapple are cultivated and grown. The bottom photo shows a line of trees in the Tower Court dormitory complex.