Crab Apple Tree
Malus is a genus of about 30–55 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including the domesticated orchard apple (M. domestica syn. M. pumila) – also known as the eating apple, cooking apple, or culinary apple. The other species are commonly known as crabapples, crab apples, crabtrees, or wild apples. The genus is native to the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere.
Apple trees are typically 4–12 m (13–39 ft) talI at maturity, with a dense, twiggy crown. The leaves are 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) long, alternate, simple, with a serrated margin. The flowers are borne in corymbs, and have five petals, which may be white, pink or red, and are perfect, with usually red stamens that produce copious pollen, and a half-inferior ovary; flowering occurs in the spring after 50–80 growing degree days (varying greatly according to subspecies and cultivar).
Many apples require cross-pollination between individuals by insects (typically bees, which freely visit the flowers for both nectar and pollen); these are called self-sterile, and therefore self-pollination is impossible, making pollinating insects essential.
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The Malus Scarlett has rich pink blossoms which contrast beautifully with the leaves, which are deeply lobed and purple in colour.
These turn a bronze-green colour in summer months, and in autumn they again change to produce deep scarlet and purple tints. The crab apples, which appear in autumn, are small and purple, and will remain on the tree long after the leaves have fallen.
Info: Wikipedia | Creative Commons