Narrowleaf Crab Malus angustifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAY-lus an-gus-tih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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The native Southern crabapple is a shrub or small tree, 20 to 30 feet in height. Its native habitat is pine woodlands or mixed woods, in open to medium densities. Its branches spread outward to form a rounded open crown. Some states consider this native to be threatened or "of concern" due to losses of native habitats or inadequate reseeding.
Southern crabapple in full sun or part shade will encourage more blooms and fruiting. Any pruning needed is mostly for ground suckers or for shaping the tree by removing unwanted or problem branches, such as those crossing or rubbing against each other. Well-drained, but moist and slightly acid soils are appropriate. It can grow in flat or sloped areas but does need some space. It works well near the borders of woodlands, as a backdrop to a fence, or in "wild" or native areas.
Some prefer the crabapple for its beautiful blooms and small apples for jellies and jams but prefer that it be away from a mowing or walking area due to those same small fruits that fall onto the ground.
If space is available, a grove of crabapples provides for a multitude of wildlife ranging from birds and pollinators to multiple small mammals and deer. This may help to keep less desirable garden visitors away from more desirable crops in late summer through fall. Depending on the age of the sapling, crops can begin within 3 to 4 years and reach abundance by 6 or 7 years.
Some crabapples are resistant to rusts, fireblights, and scabs, while others are not,. The less resistant, the more important will be maintaining soil health. Check the label.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malus
- Species:
- angustifolia
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It's hard, heavy wood makes excellent tool handle, levers, and small woodenware articles.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- FL to s.e. TX, n. to NJ, KY, s. IL & AR
- Distribution:
- : AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OH , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Bloom pollen is especially useful for bees as a food source in early spring as this tree blooms early. The small apples in late summer and fall are eaten by multiple birds and small woodland and neighborhood mammals (ex., opossums, squirrels, rabbits) of all kinds, including deer.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Flowers are edible in moderation but contain cyanide precursors. Its fruit is occasionally used for jelly, preserves and cider.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Open
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit ¾-1” in diameter, like small apples. They are yellow-green and sour with a long stalk. Fruits display from August to September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Several flowers are on stems branching from one stalk. The pink bloom has 5 equally spaced, separate petals, wide oval in shape. Flowers bloom from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are elliptical or oblong with a blunt tip and wavy sawtoothed margins and hairy when young. They are dull green above and paler underneath. At maturity, leaves can be green, yellow, or a medium to pruplish shade of red.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray or brown and furrowed into narrow scaly ridges.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
