scientific name for a apple tree - Gardening Tips
What is the scientific name for an apple tree? The apple tree scientific name is Malus (Genus). An apple tree, or Malus domestica, is internationally recognized as one of the most popular and widely cultivated of all fruit trees.
Understanding the Context
The apple tree is part of the Rosaceae family, which includes the domesticated orchard apple and crab apples. The apple tree is a non-native species, and its scientific name is Malus x domestica. Of these, Malus pumila is the preferred scientific name for both cultivated and naturalized Apple trees. Because naturalized trees may hybridize with other Malus spp.
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Key Insights
(Crab Apples), identification of wild trees can be difficult, particularly around urban and suburban areas. The accepted scientific name is Malus pumila, but is also referred to as Malus domestica, Malus sylvestris, Malus communis, and Pyrus malus (ITIS website). This extensive crossing of genetic lines has made it very difficult to differentiate the apple into taxonomically distinct species. An apple is the round, edible fruit of an apple tree (Malus spp.). Fruit trees of the orchard or domestic apple (Malus domestica), the most widely grown in the genus, are cultivated worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found. The common apple is a deciduous tree with edible fruit in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to Central Asia and Afghanistan, but is now grown worldwide for its crisp, crunchy fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes. An apple is the fruit of the apple tree, Malus domestica, a widely cultivated plant of the rose family (Rosaceae). The modern apple is believed to have been domesticated from a wild apple, M. sieversii, in the Tien Shan mountains in Central Asia.
The species name of the apple, domestica, refers to its cultivated status. The genus name, Malus, stems from the ancient Greek word for fruit, 'melon'. The seeds of apples contain a compound called amygdalin, which is made of sugars and cyanide, although not in high enough quantities to be dangerous to humans.