Malus baccata var. himalaica (Himalayan Crabapple)

This tiny Himalayan tree's thick branching spurs give it a gnarled appearance, and its (normal) crabapple-white blooms are followed by its unique deep-red pear-shaped fruits.

* An extremely hardy apple with very fragrant white flowers, dark red or yellow fruits, 3/8" (but variable), persisting into winter, of full rounded habit, formerly much used in hybridizing to improve hardiness, native to northeast Asia.

* The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Fruit from the typical species is about 1cm in diameter, though there are sub-species and cultivated forms with considerably larger fruits. A sour taste, but the fruit is palatable. It is often dried for winter use and also makes an excellent jelly.