Malus prunifolia
Malus prunifolia is a species of crabapple tree known by the common names plumleaf crab apple, plum-leaved apple, pear-leaf crabapple, Chinese apple and Chinese crabapple. It is native to China.
The number of chromosomes is 2n = 34.
Description
It reaches from between tall and bears white flowers and yellow or red fruit.
Taxonomy
It was described botanically by Willdenow in the genus Pyrus and was transferred to Malus in 1803.
Varieties
Malus prunifolia has at least four varieties, some are grown for their fruit:Malus prunifolia var. obliquipedicellata X.W. Li & J.W. SunM. prunifolia var. prunifoliaM. prunifolia var. ringo Asami M. prunifolia var. rinki Rehder P.L.Wilson
Distribution and habitat
Malus prunifolia is found in China in the provinces of Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, and possibly Xinjiang. It is adapted to grow at a variety of elevations from sea-level plains, to slopes as high as.
Uses
Outside of China, it is grown for use as an ornamental tree or as rootstock.