The correct botanical name for the cultivated apple has long been an area of dispute amongst taxonomists, with several different names being proposed. In the late 20th century the name that gained greatest credence was Malus domestica. However, it has now been proposed (D.J. Mabberley, C.E. Jarvis & B.E. Juniper; The name of the common apple; Telopea 9(2): pp421-430 2001) that the name Malus pumila is the correct name and that this name also encompasses the wild form of the apple (Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M.Roem.). Although there has been a proposal to conserve the name Malus domestica Borkh., this has been recommended for rejection. We are following, with some reluctance, the treatment of Mabberley et al in using the name Malus pumila for the domesticated apple, though we are retaining Malus sieversii for the present because, from a purely horticultural viewpoint, it is distinct[].
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: Apple

General Information

Malus pumila is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 9 metres tall.
The apple is one of the most commonly cultivated fruit crops in the temperate zone.

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

A hybrid of complex garden origin, mainly involving Malus sieversii[].

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The primary climatic requirements for the production of good quality fruit are warm summer temperatures, relative freedom from spring frosts, reasonable protection from the wind (especially cold north and east winds) and an evenly distributed rainfall of about 600 - 800mm per annum[]. Good apple production has been achieved as far north as 65°, whilst about 1,000 hours of winter temperatures below 7°c are necessary to initiate flower production[]. However good quality apples can still be produced in other areas with careful management and choice of cultivars[]. Even in tropical latitudes, the plant has succeeded at high elevations, producing fruit at elevations over 3,000 metres in Ecuador for example[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils, though if these are poorly drained there could be problems with diseases such as canker[]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[, ]. Tolerates a pH range from 6 to 7, preferring a range of 6.5 to 6.8[].
Where space is at a premium, or at the limits of their climatic range, apples can be grown against a wall. Most cultivars will grow well against a sunny south or west facing wall, an east facing wall will suit many of the tougher cultivars and even a north facing wall can be used for early culinary cultivars[].
There are very many named varieties[, , ] and with careful choice of these varieties it is possible to provide freshly harvested fruit from July to December and stored fruit for the rest of the year.
The cultivated apple has been shown to be derived from Malus sieversii, with minor input from other species including Malus dasyphylla, Malus praecox, Malus pumila and Malus sylvestris. (see Riccardo Velasco et al, The genome of the domesticated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.Nature Genetics 42, 833-839 (2010)).
When chives (Allium schoenoprasum) or other alliums are grown under apple trees it can prevent or cure scab[]. A spray of the infused leaves of Equisetum spp can also be used against scab[, ]. If climbing nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are grown into the tree they can repel woolly aphis[, ].
Apples lose their flavour if they are stored with potatoes[]. They will also impart a bitter flavour to carrots or potatoes if they are stored in the same area[]. Growing apples near potatoes makes the potatoes more susceptible to blight[]. Wrapping maple leaves (Acer spp) around apples in store helps to preserve the apples[, ]. Apples store better if they are grown in a sward that contains a high percentage of clover[].
Apple trees grow better and produce better quality fruit when foxgloves (Digitalis spp) and wallflowers (Erysimum cheiri) are growing in the orchard[].
Dandelions (Taraxacum spp) produce ethylene gas and this can cause earlier ripening of fruit if plants are growing in an orchard[].
The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use. Apples are one of the most common and widely grown fruits of the temperate zone. There are a great many named varieties with differing flavours ranging from sour to sweet and textures from dry and mealy to crisp and juicy. There is also a wide range in the seasons of ripening with the first fruits being ready in late July whilst other cultivars are not picked until late autumn and will store for 12 months or sometimes more. See individual records for more details.
The fruit of some cultivars is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam etc[, ]. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation[].

An edible oil can be obtained from the seed[]. It would only really be viable to use these seeds as an oil source if the fruit was being used for some purpose such as making cider and then the seeds could be extracted from the remaining pulp[].

Medicinal

The fruit is astringent and laxative[, ].

The bark, and especially the root bark, is anthelmintic, refrigerant and soporific[, ]. An infusion is used in the treatment of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers[, ].

The leaves contain up to 2.4% of an antibacterial substance called 'phloretin'[]. This inhibits the growth of a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in as low a concentration as 30 ppm[].

A ripe raw apple is one of the easiest foods for the stomach to deal with, the whole process of digestion taking about 85 minutes[]. The apple juice will reduce the acidity of the stomach, it becomes changed into alkaline carbonates and thus corrects sour fermentation[]. The apple is also an excellent dentifrice, the mechanical action of eating a fruit serving to clean both the teeth and the gums[].

Other Uses

The fruit is a source of pectin[, ]. Pectin is used as a thickener in jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories.

The apple is also an excellent dentifrice, the mechanical action of eating a fruit serving to clean both the teeth and the gums[, ].

The oil from the seed has been used as an illuminant[].

Wood - hard, compact, fine-grained. Used for turnery, tool handles, canes etc[, , ]. It makes an excellent fuel[].
We do not have any more specific information 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 - this species is a hybrid and will not breed true from seed, though some interesting new fruiting cultivars can be produced.. It is 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[].