Malus × zumi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malus × zumi |
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| Flowers and leaves | |
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| 'Golden Hornet' cultivar laden with fruit | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Malus
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| Species: |
× zumi
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Malus × zumi (also called Malus zumi) is a special kind of crabapple tree. It's a natural mix, meaning it grew from two different crabapple types. This tree is part of the Rosaceae family, which also includes roses and apples.
The Malus × zumi tree originally comes from Japan. Sometimes, it can spread from gardens and grow wild, like in the US state of Ohio.
About the Zumi Crabapple
The Malus × zumi is a hybrid species. This means it's a natural cross between two other crabapple trees. Its "parent" trees are the Manchurian crab apple (Malus mandshurica) and Siebold's crabapple (Malus sieboldii).
Why It's Special
This crabapple is very useful because it can handle salty soil. Farmers sometimes use it as a special "rootstock" for regular apple trees (Malus domestica). A rootstock is the bottom part of a plant onto which another plant is grafted. Because Malus × zumi can grow well even with a lot of salt in the soil (up to 0.6% salt), it helps the apple trees survive in tough conditions.
Different Kinds of Zumi Crabapple
There are several types of Malus × zumi grown just for their beauty. These are called "ornamental cultivars." Two popular ones are 'Golden Hornet' and 'Professor Sprenger'. These varieties are loved for their pretty flowers and colorful fruits.
