Malus sp.
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Variable; species dependent
Malus sp. is a non-native California shrub in the Rosaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Malus sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Malus sp. belong to?
Malus sp. is in the Rosaceae family, genus Malus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.