Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Malus domestica
|
| Common Names: |
Common Apple, Eating Apple, Cooking Apple
|
| Key Name: |
Apple
|
| Parts Used: |
Fruit, bark, leaves
|
| Sister Plants: |
Malus sylvestris, Malus pumila, Pyrus communis
|
| Comments: |
Fruit tree with significant pollinator support; globally cultivated
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Rosales |
| Family |
Rosaceae |
Genus |
Malus |
| Species |
domestica |
NCBI Tax ID |
3750
|
| Organism |
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Small to medium tree (10-40 ft), grey-brown bark with fissures, oval Leaves with serrated edges, pink-white flowers, green to red apples
|
| Stem: |
Grey-brown with shallow fissures, peeling in strips
|
| Leaves: |
Oval, serrated, 2-4 inches, glossy green turning yellow in fall
|
| Flowers: |
Pink-white, 5-petaled flowers in clusters, blooming April-May
|
| Fruit: |
Green to red apples, 5-10 cm, ripening September-October
|
| Taste: |
Sweet to tart (fruit), Bitter (bark)
|
| Odour: |
Sweet floral scent from flowers, woody bark scent
|
| Root: |
Shallow, spreading root system; supports soil stability
|
| Image: |
(image unavailable)
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|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Europe, Central Asia, naturalized worldwide
|
| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained loam, full Sun; propagate by grafting
|
| Harvest: |
Bark: Spring from pruned branches; Fruit: Late summer to fall
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, Diuretic, Digestive, Antioxidant
|
| Medical Uses: |
Used for digestion, Diarrhea, Urinary health, and as an Antioxidant; cider vinegar for detoxification
|
| Constituents: |
Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="97" title="Polyphenols (Polyphenols)">Polyphenols, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="139" title="peCtin (peCtin)">peCtin, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="133" title="maliC aCid (maliC aCid)">maliC aCid, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="33" title="Vitamin C">Vitamin C
|
| Solvents: |
Water, vinegar (cider), alcohol (Tincture)
|
| Dosage: |
Fruit: 1-2 apples daily; Bark Tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: Raw fruit or cider vinegar; External: Poultice for skin
|
| Formulas: |
Combine with ginger for digestion; with rosehip for vitamin C boost
|
| Contra Indications: |
May cause Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; avoid Excessive bark use due to tannins; consult healthcare provider
|
| Preparation: |
Cider vinegar: Ferment apple scraps for 4-6 weeks; Tincture: Steep 1 part bark in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks
|
| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for Digestive upset or wound treatment in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
|
| Pollinator: |
1
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, visited by bees for pollen
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Attracts bees for nectar, supports pollinator health
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for tool handles, ornamental planting, wildlife food source
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Fruit eaten fresh, dried, or in cider; bark in teas
|
| History: |
Cultivated since ancient times in Europe and Asia; apples in traditional remedies
|
| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; Traditional Herbal Medicine
|
| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Malus+domestica
|
| Share: |
Private
|