Taxonomy
Malus sylvestris | Crab Apple | Crann fia-úll
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not protected
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Flowers: May; clusters of pink or white flowers
Fruits: Small sour apple
Twigs & bark: Reddish/brown twigs; bark
grey/brown/ purplish, flaky when mature
Adult habitat & habits
Hedgerows, woods, scrub and wasteland
Habitat
Hedgerows, woods, scrub and wasteland
Life cycle
Perennial
Ex-situ conservation
Living collection in the National Botanic Garden.
Use
Fruit/Food crop
Vegetative nature
Woody
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Locally frequent
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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Further information
Wild crab apples have been used as food since antiquity. The pips are often found embedded in remnants of prehistoric cooking pots.
The apples are edible, but bitter, and can be used to make jelly