Malus spectabilis (Chinese: 海棠; pinyin: hǎitáng) is a species of crabapple known by the common names Asiatic apple,[1] Chinese crab,[2] HaiTang and Chinese flowering apple.

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

It is endemic to China and native to the provinces of Hebei, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Zhejiang.[3]

Description

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Malus spectabilis flowering in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris.
 
Malus spectabilis fruits at ELTE Botanical Gardens in Budapest

Malus spectabilis has white or pink flowers, depending on the variety. The fruit is yellow and about 2 centimeters wide.[citation needed]

It is cultivated as an ornamental tree, especially popular in China.[citation needed]

Cultural significance

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In 2009, the M. spectabilis flower was named the city flower of Baoji, China.[4]

References

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  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Malus spectabilis​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Malus spectabilis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  4. ^ 张红平 (26 April 2009). "海棠花成为宝鸡市市花" [Asiatic apple flower becomes city flower of Baoji] (in Chinese). Sina Corporation. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
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