Sweet Crab Apple
Malus coronaria
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © douggoldman (iNaturalist #105633022)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Malus
- Species:
- Malus coronaria
- USDA Symbol:
- MACO5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea), Bucculatrix pomifoliella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Dichomeris ligulella, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Phyllonorycter crataegella, Radcliffe's dagger moth (Acronicta radcliffei), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Woody Underwing (Catocala grynea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to moist, wooded areas and riverbanks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy; germination occurs in spring.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)