Malus angustifolia, or southern crabapple, is a species of crabapple native to the eastern and south-central United States.
Description M. angustifolia is a tree sometimes attaining a height of 10 meters (33 feet). The trunk can have a diameter up to . The flowers are pink, with a pleasant scent. The fruits are up to in diameter, and have an aromatic scent and a pear-like shape; yellow-green in color, with some red when ripe.
Taxonomy The following two varieties are known: Malus angustifolia var. angustifolia Malus angustifolia var. puberula (Rehder) Rehder
Distribution and habitat The species can be found from Florida west to eastern Texas and north to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri.Biota of North America Program, 2014 county distribution map
M. angustifolia prefers habitats that are moist but well-drained. For inflorescence to occur, full sunlight is required. The species has been observed in habitat types such as dry hammocks, xeric flatwoods, mesic woodlands, floodplains, and pine woods.Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2018. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, R.K. Godfrey, Patricia Elliot, John C. Ogden, R L Lazor, L R Fox, K Craddock Burks, Gary R Knight, R A Norris, M R Darst, R Komarek, H Roth, M Jenkins, Elmar C Prichard. States and counties: Florida (Wakulla, Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Washington), Georgia (Thomas, Grady), North Carolina (Cumberland).
Ecology The fruits are eaten by various wildlife.
Uses Although the fruits are astringent, acidic, and unpalatable when raw, they can be used to make jellies, jams, and food preserves.Flora of North America, Malus angustifolia (Aiton) Michaux, 1803. Southern or narrow-leaved crabapple Malus angustifolia at Plants for a Future
The tree is grown as an ornamental plant.
References
External links Carolina Nature Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas Louisiana Plant Identification Leafsnap.com: Images of the Southern Crabapple (Malus angustifolia)