Malus florentina
| Malus florentina | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 26' |
| Width: | 20' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Malus florentina
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It usually germinates in late winter. Stored seed requires stratification for 3 months at 1°c and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is received[1]. It might not germinate for 12 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If given a rich compost they usually grow away quickly and can be large enough to plant out in late summer, though consider giving them some protection from the cold in their first winter. Otherwise, keep them in pots in a cold frame and plant them out in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of mature wood, November in a frame[2].
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[3][1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade, though it fruits less well in such a situation[1].
This species is a very good pollinator for the cultivated apples[1].
The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[1].
A very ornamental tree, especially when flowering in the spring, it makes a good specimen tree in a lawn[2].
Some botanists believe this species to be a bigeneric hybrid between M. sylvestris and Sorbus torminalis. They have assigned the name Malosorbus florentina to the plant, but this is not generally accepted[2].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: Europe - Northern Italy.
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[K]. The oval fruit is about 15mm long and 8mm wide, it ripens in mid autumn and usually bletts on the tree. When bletted, it has a mealy texture with a soft acid flesh, we found it refreshing in small quantities[K].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: All members of this genus contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide in their seeds and possibly also in their leaves, but not in their fruits. Hydrogen cyanide is the substance that gives almonds their characteristic taste but it should only be consumed in very
Also Known As: Crataegus florentina. Pyrus crataegifolia. Malosorbus florentina.
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