The taxonomy of the genus Malus is very confused - it has been revised on several occasions, with some authors placing species within the genus Pyrus. Recent morphologic work has suggested that Malus be retained as a separate genus based on fully adnate carpels and deeply inferior ovaries, with molecular evidence providing support. However, cultivation, hybridization, and introgression have led to hundreds of species being named within Malus and there is no clear agreement as to the number of accepted distinct species, or indeed the appropriate name for many of them. The genus requires a comprehensive worldwide revision[].
This species is very similar to Malus halliana[].

Common Name: Chinese Crab

General Information

Malus baccata is a deciduous tree with arching or pendulous branches forming a rounded, wide-spreading canopy; it usually grows 5 - 10 metres tall, sometimes reaching 14 metres. The short bole can be up to 30cm in diameter[, , , ].
Malus baccata is cultivated for its fruit, timber (which is used for smokehouse kindling and firewood) and also for medicinal uses (it is a treatment for dysentry and diarrhoea and is also a source of the antibiotic, phloretin); it is also used in ornamental landscaping, as a shade tree and as a farmstead windbreak. It has been used as graftstock and to confer cold tolerance and Podaspaere leucotrica resistance into apple
Malus baccata is known to be a widespread species. For this reason, and because it occurs in a number of protected areas in the Russian Federation, it is suspected to have a stable population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].
The plant has often escaped from cultivation and has become naturalized in some regions of eastern N. America[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific information has been seen, the seed and other parts of the plant (but not the fruit) are likely to contain cyanogenic glycosides. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being[]. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted.
In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death[].
The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- sweet almonds, for example, contain only very low levels of it and are safe to eat in quantity, whilst bitter almonds (which are used as a flavouring in foods such as marzipan) contain much higher levels and should only be eaten in very small quantities. Great caution should be employed if the taste is moderately to very bitter[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - N. China to the Himalayas.

Habitat

An occasional tree found in mixed evergreen or deciduous forests on slopes and among shrubs in valleys, also often found in degraded habitats, or on the edges of cultivated land; at elevations to 3.600 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Malus baccata is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils including heavy ones[, ], preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The plants are very resistant to disease[].
This species is cultivated for its edible fruit in China, there are several named varieties[].
The plant is used in ornamental landscaping, as a shade tree, as a farmstead windbreak and it also provides cover and high quality fruit and browse for many birds and mammals[].
Trees can produce fruit within 4 years from seed[, ].
Cross-compatibility amongst the different species of Malus is common. Hybridization can occur naturally in botanical gardens and in the wild, or artificially through breeding[, ].
Polyploid forms and asexual seed production (apomixis) occur in some species[].
A very ornamental tree[], the fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. A sour taste, but the fruit is palatable[, ]. It is often dried for winter use[] and also makes an excellent jelly[]. The yellow to red, subglobose fruit from the typical species is 8 - 10mm in diameter[], though there are sub-species and cultivated forms with considerably larger fruits[].

Medicinal

A paste of the fruit is applied to the forehead to relieve headaches[].

The plant is a treatment for dysentry and diarrhoea and also a source of the antibiotic, phloretin[].

Other Uses

The plant can be used as a rootstock for apple cultivars. It produces a vigorous tree that has more cold tolerance and disease resistance[, ]. It is commonly used as stock to graft Malus pumila and Malus asiatica in north and northeast China[]. The sub-species Malus baccata himalaica is more often used for this purpose.

The plant is a possible genetic source of disease resistance (especially to Podaspaere leucotrica) and cold hardiness in breeding programmes with the cultivated apple (Mals domestica)[, ].

The timber is used for smokehouse kindling and firewood[].
We do not have a specific description for the wood of this species - the following is a general description for the wood of this genus:-
The heartwood is reddish-grey; the 12 - 30 rings of sapwood are a light reddish. When steamed, the wood becomes reddish brown to dark red-brown. The wood is hard, but has a tendency to warp. It is very difficult to splitd and is difficult to work, but is easily stained and polished. The timber converts cleanly but is moderately hard to saw. A clean finish is produced normally, but a reduction of the cutting angle to 20° is an advantage to planing. The wood is generally of too small a size for commercial exploitation but, where larger sizes are attained the wood has been used for making a wide range of items, including furniture, mallet heads, umbrella handles, cog wheels, pianos, tools etc, and also for turnery[, , ].
The wood of Malus species generally makes a good fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It usually germinates in late winter. Stored seed requires stratification for 3 months at 1°c and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is received[]. It might not germinate for 12 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If given a rich compost they usually grow away quickly and can be large enough to plant out in late summer, though consider giving them some protection from the cold in their first winter. Otherwise, keep them in pots in a cold frame and plant them out in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[].