Peraphyllum is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the rose family, containing the single species Peraphyllum ramosissimum, commonly known as wild crab apple.

Description

Peraphyllum ramosissimum is a shrub which may reach 3 metres (10 ft) in height.[1] Growing up to 3.5 centimetres (1+1⁄2 in) long,[1] the leaves are simple; they can grow very close together on short shoots but are well separated on longer shoots.[2]

Like most other flowering plants of the Rosaceae, P. ramosissimum has 5 petals and 5 sepals with radial symmetry. The flowers have about 15–20 free stamens, and the petals are white to rose in color. The fruit is a yellowish to purplish pome about 1 centimetre (1⁄2 in) wide.[1]

Taxonomy

Translated from the Greek, the genus Peraphyllum means "very leafy" and the species name ramosissimum means "many branches". Peraphyllum is most closely related to Amelanchier, Malacomeles, Crataegus, and Mespilus.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Peraphyllum ramosissimum grows in Washington, California, Oregon,[1] Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, usually in pine and juniper woodlands.[1] In California it can be found in the High Cascades, High Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert sky islands.

Uses

The ripe pome is edible and sweetish but has a bitter aftertaste.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Turner, Mark; Kuhlmann, Ellen (2014). Trees & Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest (1st ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 248. ISBN 978-1-60469-263-1.
  2. ^ Janene Auger and Justin G. Smith, Peraphyllum ramosissimum Nutt., squaw-apple in Woody Plant Seed Manual Interim Web Site Archived 2009-02-19 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Campbell, C.S.; Evans, R.C.; Morgan, D.R.; Dickinson, T.A.; Arsenault, M.P. (2007). Phylogeny of subtribe Pyrinae (formerly the Maloideae, Rosaceae): Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266(1–2): 119–145.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peraphyllum
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