Oregon Crab Apple
Malus fusca
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
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:
- 1200 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (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, mammals, bees
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from the root crown following fire damage.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification. Fresh seed germinates better than dried seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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