Malus ioensis
| Malus ioensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Malus ioensis (common name: prairie crab)
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. Dislikes chalky soils, this is especially true for the cultivar 'Plena'[1]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[1].
A slow-growing and short-lived species in the wild[4], it produces suckers from the roots and often forms thickets[5].
This species is closely related to M. coronaria[3]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus[1].
There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[1].
The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[1]. The plant fruits very heavily in southern Britain[K].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: Central N. America - Indiana to Minnesota, south to Texas and Louisiana.
Habitat: Open woods, thickets, pastures, along streams etc, with a preference for calcareous soils[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[6][7][8][9]. Up to 4cm in diameter[4]. Harsh and astringent[3][10][K], it is best baked or made into preserves. It makes excellent jellies and cider[4].
Usage: Wood - heavy. Of no commercial importance[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid 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: Pyrus ioensis.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 McGregor, Ronald. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas, 1986.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ McPherson, Alan and Sue McPherson. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press, 1977.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.