Chinese Apple

Chinese or pear-leaved crab apple (Malus prunifolia), a species of apple tree with small fruits. The Chinese apple is very hardy and drought-resistant and is used as tree stock. It starts to bear fruit early and, if well cared for, yields abundantly every year. It is cultivated in the USSR in the northern fruit-growing regions, Central Zone, Volga region, Siberia, Urals, and Far East. The fruits have nondeciduous sepals and vary in size, shape, color, and taste. They are used for preserves, glazed fruits, and so forth. By hybridizing the Chinese apple with cultivated varieties, I. V. Michurin bred many valuable varieties, including Golden Early, Anise, and Bellefleur.