The leaves of Malus coronaria are variable in shape and lobbing. This lead Rehder in the early 1900s to recognize a number of eastern taxa based on leaf differences. This included Malus lancifolia, Malus glabrata, Malus glaucescens and Malus platycarpa. These are treated here as synonyms of Malus coronaria as per the Flora of N. America[].
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[].

Common Name: Garland Crab

General Information

Malus coronaria is a deciduous tree with a wide-spreading, open head of branches; it can grow 2.5 - 9 metres tall, occasionally reaching 10 metre. The short bole can be up to 45cm in diameters[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes used as a rootstock for the cultivated apple and is also grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its late spring display of attractive, fragrant flowers[].

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

Eastern N. America - Ontario to New York and New Jersey, south to Kansas, Louisiana and Georgia.

Habitat

Open woods, forest edges, thickets, stream banks, fields, fencerows, roadsides; at elevations from 50 - 1,000 metres[]. Found in most soil types and moisture levels[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade, though it fruits less well in such a situation[].
A slow-growing and short-lived tree in the wild[].
The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[].
The attractive flowers are sweetly scented[].
Double-flowered forms have been found in nature and selected for cultivation: these include forma charlottae Rehder and forma nieuwlandiana A.D.Slavin[]..
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[].
This species is closely related to Malus ionensis[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. Harsh and acid[], it is mainly used for jellies[] but can be eaten raw when it is fully ripe[]. The fruits can be buried in the ground overwinter and will have lost much of their acidity by the spring[]. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use[]. Rich in pectin, so it can be added to pectin-low fruits when making jams or jellies[]. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation[]. The green to yellow-green, globose fruit is 15 - 30mm in diameter, occasionally up to 55mm[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the bark has been used to ease a difficult birth and also in the treatment of gallstones, piles and as a wash for sore mouths[]. A cold infusion of the bark has been used as a wash for black eyes, sore eyes and snow blindness[].

A decoction of the root has been used to treat suppressed menses and so can cause an abortion, especially early in the pregnancy[].

Other Uses

The plant can be used as a rootstock for cultivated apples, conferring a greater hardiness[].

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[].