Oregon Crab Apple
Malus fusca
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Source: Wikimedia; Credit: Metacladistics https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Metacladistics
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Malus
- Species:
- Malus fusca
- USDA Symbol:
- MAFU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- 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
Codling moth (Cydia pomonella), Epinotia solandriana, Epinotia vagana, Eucosma vagana, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), leaf crumpler moth (Acrobasis indigenella), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Stigmella oxyacanthella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
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)