Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Malus domestica
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| Common Names: |
Common Apple, Eating Apple, Cooking Apple
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| Key Name: |
Apple
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| Parts Used: |
Fruit, bark, leaves
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| Sister Plants: |
Malus sylvestris, Malus pumila, Pyrus communis
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| Comments: |
Fruit tree with significant pollinator support; globally cultivated
|
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
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| Stem: |
Grey-brown with shallow fissures, peeling in strips
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| Leaves: |
Oval, serrated, 2-4 inches, glossy green turning yellow in fall
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| Flowers: |
Pink-white, 5-petaled flowers in clusters, blooming April-May
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| Fruit: |
Green to red apples, 5-10 cm, ripening September-October
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| Taste: |
Sweet to tart (fruit), bitter (bark)
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| Odour: |
Sweet floral scent from flowers, woody bark scent
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| Root: |
Shallow, spreading root system; supports soil stability
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Europe, Central Asia, naturalized worldwide
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| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained loam, full sun; propagate by grafting
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| Harvest: |
Bark: Spring from pruned branches; Fruit: Late summer to fall
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, diuretic, digestive, antioxidant
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| Medical Uses: |
Used for digestion, diarrhea, urinary health, and as an antioxidant; cider vinegar for detoxification
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| Constituents: |
Polyphenols, pectin, malic acid, vitamin C
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| Solvents: |
Water, vinegar (cider), alcohol (tincture)
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| Dosage: |
Fruit: 1-2 apples daily; Bark tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily
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| Administration: |
Internal: Raw fruit or cider vinegar; External: Poultice for skin
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| Formulas: |
Combine with ginger for digestion; with rosehip for vitamin C boost
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| Contra Indications: |
May cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; avoid excessive bark use due to tannins; consult healthcare provider
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| Preparation: |
Cider vinegar: Ferment apple scraps for 4-6 weeks; Tincture: Steep 1 part bark in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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| Veterinary: |
Used for digestive upset or wound treatment in livestock
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| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
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| Pollinator: |
1
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, visited by bees for pollen
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Attracts bees for nectar, supports pollinator health
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for tool handles, ornamental planting, wildlife food source
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| Culinary Uses: |
Fruit eaten fresh, dried, or in cider; bark in teas
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| History: |
Cultivated since ancient times in Europe and Asia; apples in traditional remedies
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| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; Traditional Herbal Medicine
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| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Malus+domestica
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| Share: |
Private
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