Malus transitoria, the cut-leaf crabapple, is a species of flowering plant in the crabapple genus Malus of the family Rosaceae, native to China.

Malus transitoria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Malus
Species:
M. transitoria
Binomial name
Malus transitoria

The Latin transitoria means "short-lived".[1] The name "cut-leaf" refers to the shape of the leaves.[2]

Description

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Fruits of Malus transitoria

Malus transitoria is a deciduous tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall by 10 m (33 ft) wide. The deeply divided leaves turn yellow in autumn.[2]

It produces abundant white flowers, and small yellow fruits 8 mm in diameter.[2]

Varieties

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Varieties include:[3]

  • Malus transitoria var. centralasiatica
  • Malus transitoria var. glabrescens
  • Malus transitoria var. transitoria

Uses

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Malus transitoria is cultivated as an ornamental tree, for its elegant shape, abundant white blossoms, and yellow fruits. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

It is also used as rootstock for other apples.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  2. ^ a b c RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. ^ "Malus transitoria". Flora of China. EFloras. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Malus transitoria". Retrieved 3 January 2021.