Southern crabapple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern crabapple |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Malus
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| Species: |
angustifolia
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| Natural range | |
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The southern crabapple, also known by its scientific name Malus angustifolia, is a type of crabapple tree. It grows naturally in the eastern and south-central parts of the United States. You can find it from Florida all the way west to eastern Texas, and north to states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri.
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What is a Southern Crabapple?
The southern crabapple is a tree that can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 10 meters (about 33 feet). Its trunk can be as wide as 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) across.
Flowers and Fruits
This tree produces beautiful pink flowers that have a lovely smell. After the flowers, small fruits grow. These fruits are usually about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) wide and look a bit like tiny pears. They also have a nice, strong scent.
The fruits are very sour and have a taste that makes your mouth feel dry, which is called astringent. Because of this, most people don't eat them raw. However, they are great for making tasty jellies, jams, and other food preserves. Many different kinds of wildlife also enjoy eating these fruits.
Uses of the Southern Crabapple
Besides its fruits being used for food, the southern crabapple is also grown as an ornamental plant. This means people plant it in their gardens or parks because it looks pretty, especially when it's covered in its pink flowers.
Different Kinds of Southern Crabapple
Just like there can be different types of apples, there are also different varieties of the southern crabapple. These are like slightly different versions of the same plant. The two main varieties are:
- Malus angustifolia var. angustifolia
- Malus angustifolia var. puberula
