Malus fusca
Oregon crab apple
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Malus fusca (Oregon crab apple) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by (Malus pumila); distinguished by native status, shrub habit, and narrow leaves.
Oregon crab apple is a native shrub found in northern California coastal regions, northern Coast Ranges, northern central Coast Counties, and California Rocky Foothills in moist, open conifer forest at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small clusters. Growing with a shrub-like or small tree form reaching heights of 3 to 4 meters, it develops multiple stems with smooth bark. Its leaves are widely lanceolate, 3 to 12 centimeters long with petioles 15 to 50 millimeters, providing a distinctive broad, green canopy. The fruit develops on pedicels 20 to 30 millimeters long, creating small, edible crab apples characteristic of this woodland species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (Malus pumila); distinguished by native status, shrub habit, and narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, open conifer forest
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Del Norte, Shasta, Humboldt, Tulare, Mendocino, San Diego, Santa Clara
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Malus fusca blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Prunus: Prunus fruits have a single hard pit; Malus fruits have a papery core with multiple seeds.; vs Chaenomeles: Chaenomeles has thorns and hard, aromatic quince-like fruits; Malus is typically thornless with softer apples.; vs Pyrus: Pyrus fruits are pear-shaped with gritty flesh; Malus fruits are round with smooth flesh.; vs Cydonia: Cydonia has fuzzy leaves and large aromatic quinces; Malus has smooth leaves and typical apples.; vs Crataegus: Crataegus has deeply lobed leaves and tiny fruits; Malus has unlobed leaves and large apple fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malus fusca native to California?
Yes. Malus fusca is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malus fusca bloom?
Malus fusca blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Malus fusca grow?
Malus fusca occurs in Del Norte, Shasta, Humboldt, Tulare, Mendocino, San Diego, Santa Clara, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Malus fusca belong to?
Malus fusca is in the Rosaceae family, genus Malus.
What habitat does Malus fusca grow in?
Malus fusca grows in Moist, open conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.