Malus domestica Apple

A small, deciduous tree which has been cultivated for centuries for its fruit of which there are numerous varieties. It blooms profusely in spring and the faintly scented flowers are visited by bees and other pollinators. Naturalised trees presumably originate from bird-sown pips or from those in discarded apple cores or are relics of cultivation. Wild plants often produce abundant, normal-sized apples but sometimes they are rather small like those of Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris). It is easily confused with and closely related to Crab Apple. Both species have the same chromosome number (2n=34) and hybridisation and introgression have led to the production of a bewildering diversity of intermediate forms. Important identification features that eliminate Crab Apple are the absence of spines on the twigs and hairy leaves (see description of Malus sylvestris). The domestic apple was probably derived originally from a wild apple which grows in central Asia, Malus sieversii. Neverthess, hybridisation with Crab Apple may have also resulted in the introduction of some genetic traits. Apple trees (which are not pure Crab Apple) are found naturalised throughout Britain and they are frequent in West Glamorgan.

Neophyte

Also known as Malus pumila Mill. in some floras.