Iowa Crab Appleor

Malus Ioensis (Wood) Britt.By: Leslie Harper

Classification [1]Kingdom:  PlantaeSubkingdom:  TracheobiontaSuperdivision:  SpermatophytaDivision:  MagnoliophytaClass:  Magnoliopsida Subclass:  Rosidae Order:  Rosales Family:  RosaceaeGenus:  Malus Mill.Species:  Malus ioensis (Alph. Wood) Britton

Shape, Form, and Type [2]The shape and orientation of the Iowa Crabapple is irregular, and its height averages at 25 feet tall.The growth form of this tree is single stemmed, and it grows most rapidly in the Spring and Summer. Both its foliage and fruit color are green, and its flower color is white.

Figure 1

Bark [3]

Figure 2

The bark of this tree varies from a reddish-brown to a darker gray.As shown in Figure 2, the bark is very flaky and loose.

Twig [3] and Bud [4]The twigs on the Iowa Crab Apple are

“red-brown to gray, densely tomentose when young becoming less so with age; numerous short lateral shoots bearing terminal thorns” [3].

The buds appear along the thorns [4] and will bloom from April to June [3].

Figure 3

Leaf [3]The leaves of this tree are either alternate or

clustered, and they grow to be from 1 to 1.5 inches long. The leaf is a darker green on the bottom and lighter on the flip side.

Figure 4

Flower and Fruit [2]The flower color is white and blooms Mid

Spring. In the Summer fruit replaces these flowers. The fruit is small and green, and is not palatable for humans.

Figure 5Figure 6

Habitat and Range [3]The Iowa crabapple is distributed throughout

“Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, east to Alabama, north to Minnesota. Rare” [3].

They are found in moist soils, such as along streams or the edges or woodlands.

Uses[3] The fruit is not good to the taste when eaten

raw. It is hard and sour. This fruit has been used in order to make

jellies, vinegars, and ciders, though.

Text References[1] Classification for kingdom plantae down to

species malus ioensis (alph. wood) britton. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=MAIO&display=31

[2] Malus ioensis (alph. wood) britton. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=MAIO

[3] Malus ioensis (wood.) britt.. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/malu-ioe.htm

[4] Malus ioensis (a.w.wood) britton. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/malioe01.htm

Picture References

Figures 1 & 2Below are some plant and animal pictures taken within the outdoor classroom. . (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://facweb.eths.k12.il.us/smithc/environmental_center/living%20things%20on%20site.htm

Figure 3 & 5Malus ioensis (a.w.wood) britton. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/malioe01.htm

Figure 4Prairie crabapple. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://www.phyplt.ipfw.edu/assets/NativeTreesOfIndianaRiverWalk/PrairieCrabappleIconGallery.htm

Figure 6Malus ioensis. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://www.hort.net/gallery/view/ros/malio/