Description and habitat
Wild Crabapple (Malus coronaria) is the only species of apple native to Ontario. Like all apple trees, it is a member of the Rose family, Rosaceae. This tree is distributed from southern Ontario to Ohio Valley and Central Appalachian Region of the eastern United States. Escaped Common Apple trees (Malus domestica) – trees derived from (often abandoned) orchards, are also a common sight in much of southern Ontario, including the Long Point Basin. Both species are small deciduous trees most often observed in shrublands. Neither tree is shade-tolerant, so they are not often found in closed-canopy deciduous forests. Apple trees are most often found growing alongside other shrubland species, such as hawthorns (Crataegus sp.), dogwoods (Cornus sp.), wild plums (Prunus americana and Prunus canadensis), viburnums (Viburnum sp.), serviceberries (Amelanchier sp.), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), and Staghorn Sumacs (Rhus typhina).
Wild Crabapple can be distinguished from the Eurasian species in several ways. While Common Apple flowers can range from white to pink, whereas Wild Crabapple flowers are nearly always rose-coloured. Both species have 5 petals each. The flowers attract a wide range of pollinators, with bees and flies being the most important. The leaves of Wild Crabapple are around 5 cm long, often possessing 3 shallow lobes with coarse teeth. This contrasts with Common Apple, which has unlobed oval leaves around 8 cm long, with smaller teeth on the leaf margins. The wild crabapples on M. coronaria are around 4 cm long, slightly larger than a walnut, whereas feral Common Apple Trees bear fruit >5 cm in diameter. In some areas, both species hybridize, making identification challenging.
Wildlife importance
Apple trees are very important wildlife trees! Flowers are regularly visited by spring pollinators, such as bees (Apidae), mining-bees (Andrenidae), and hoverflies (Syrphidae). The fruits are regularly consumed by rodents, small mammals, deer (Odocoileus virginianus), rabbits (Leporidae), frugivorous birds, and even gulls (Laridae)! The foliage is a larval food source for more than 350 species of lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), including the Gray Hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus), Short-lined Chocolate (Clossiana selene myrina), Many-dotted Balsa (Hypocoena inquinata), Splendid Dagger (Acronicta superans), Dowdy Pinion (Lithophane unimoda), Bethune’s Pinion (Lithophane bethunei), Roadside Sallow (Xanthia flavago), and Gray Quaker (Orthosia grisea).
Fun facts
- Crabapples are used to make jams, jellies, and even cider due to their tart, astringent flavour. In some cultures, they even had medicinal uses!
- While the apple seeds are important for reproduction, Wild Crabapples can also spread from the roots, creating thickets!
- Crabapple trees attract pollinators by the beautiful flower colour and pungent scent. Each tree releases volatile organic compounds – such as aldehydes, esters and alcohols.
- Domestic apples have been crossed with Wild Crabapples as a source of beneficial genetic traits – including disease resistance, cold hardiness, frost tolerance, and pest detterance.
Written by Matthew Palarchio, HBSc in Environmental Sciences, Western University.
Photo Credits (L-R)
Flower blossoms © Étienne Lacroix-Carignan
Leaves and fruit © Étienne Lacroix-Carignan
Flower buds © Matthew Palarchio
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