southern crab apple
Malus angustifolia
  • FAMILY: ROSACEAE
  • ALTERNATE COMMON NAME:
  • LEAVES: alternate, simple, deciduous; 2-3 inch long, variable in size; margin crenate-serrate; base tapered, those on spur shoots often usually lobed
  • FLOWER: pink to white; 1 inch diameter; early March; rose-like
  • FRUIT: yellow-green; 3/4 to 1 inch diameter, flattened at end; matures in September
  • TWIGS: reproductive spur shoots; stout and sharp
  • BARK: reddish-brown, scaly
  • FORM: small tree, less than 30 feet tall
  • HABITAT: moist sites along streams and slopes; fence rows; may form thickets
  • RANGE: southeast US
  • USES: deer, fox, raccoons, squirrels, turkey use fruit; jelly; wood used for tool handles locally
  • Best Recognition Features:
    1. spur-like twigs, spines
    2. small leaves with crenate margin
    3. cedar-apple rust infection