Crabapple

Rosaceae

LIFE FORM: Tree

NATIVITY: Eurasia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Medium sized, multistemmed tree to 20 or 30 feet tall; usually broader than tall; simple, alternate leaves; rough bark.

FLOWERS:

Showy, pink, white or red flowers in early spring.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Fruit typically small, dispersed by birds.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; rock outcrops and stone walls; unmowed highway banks and median strips with frequent salt applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Heat reduction in paved areas; salt tolerance along roadways; drought tolerance on compacted soils; air pollution tolerance; food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Numerous cultivars and species are cultivated; escaped seedlings are common on highway bankings. Introduced as an ornamental species. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.