Apple Tree

(Pyrus Malus)

Interesting Information About Plant: 

    The Apple tree is the oldest cultivated tree in Europe, in a wild state, to the temperate and cold parts of the northern hemisphere, though Apples are now cultivated at the Cape, in Australia, and in New Zealand. The Apple species cannot be grown within the tropics or north of the Arctic Circle. The wild Apple has its branches frequently armed with thorns. The unripe fruits of the wild Apple are used in the manufacture of verjuice, now mainly made in France, which, now days, when the drink is fermented and sweetened is the only way people drink it., but in the sixteenth century the fruit was in more esteem than it now is. Christmas was then the season that apples were served as hot ale to drink.

Common Name: Apple Tree

Scientific Name:   Pyrus Malus

Family Name (Scientific and Common):   Pyrus Malus Apple

Continent of Origin: Europe and Western Asia

Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant: Has fruit that most people know, the apple. Small yellow colored fruit that comes in around the spring and fall time.

Plant Growth Habit:     Small Tree  

Height at Maturity:     Between 3 – 10 Feet  

Life Span:    Annual (herbaceous)  

Seasonal Habit:      Herbaceous That Dies Back in Winter   

Growth Habitat:    Full Sun 

Manner of Culture:  Garden (food)  

Thorns on Younger Stem?:   Yes  

Cross Section of Younger Stem:      Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter:     More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark?:   Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas?:    Yes  

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark:    Bumpy  /   Patchy Bark  

Type of Leaf:   Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet):   Less than Length of a Credit Card 

Leaf Complexity:    Simple 

Shape of Leaf:    Simple 

Edge of Leaf?:   Serrated

Leaf Arrangement:  Whorled (3 or more leaves per node)

Leaf has Petiole?:  Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins:  Pinnate 

Leaf Hairiness:   No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer:    Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October:   Changes from Green to Brown

Flowering Season:   Spring 

Flowers:    in Loose Group : Five Pealed

Type of Flower:     Colorful Flower

Color of Flower:   White  /  Pink 

Shape of Individual Flower:    Radially Symmetrical  

Size of Individual Flower:  Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card  

Sexuality:     Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit:    Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card 

Fruit Fleshiness at Maturity?:    Fleshy 

Shape of Fruit:    Spherical    

Color of Fruit at Maturity:    Yellow

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels?:      Yes   

Unique Morphological Features of Plant:  Some may have thorns

Is the Plant Poisonous:    None of Plant

Pesty Plant (weedy, hard to control)?: No

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: There aren’t really any trees that are confused with this particular tree, but the smell of the Apple Tree resembles that of a honeysuckle.

Page prepared by:

Katie Christian

 November 2005