Malus bracteata
Rehder.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Herbarium: Vascular Plants (NCU-Vascular Plants)
Conveyor Belt
President and Fellows of Harvard College
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is about 3cm in diameter.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Southern N. America - Missouri to Florida.
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario (south)), United States (Indiana, Michigan (south & central), New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama (north), Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi (north), North Carolina (west), Tennessee, Virginia)
How to Identify
Malus bracteata is a deciduous Tree growing to 7 m (23ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
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. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, lists this name as a synonym of M. coronaria lancifolia whilst treats it as a species in its own right. This species is closely related to M. ioensis. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
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, November in a frame.
Names & Synonyms
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