Malus toringo

Malus toringo belongs to the family of rose plants (Rosaceae). This species is native to East Asia, especially in Japan, Korea and parts of China. Malus toringo is valued due to its attractive flowers, decorative fruits and its importance in apple breeding. He has proven to be robust and versatile species that can thrive in a variety of ecological niches.

Morphology

Malus toringo is a small to medium -sized deciduous tree or shrub that reaches a height of 4 to 10 meters. The tree has an expansive, dense crown that gives it a bushy appearance. The bark is initially smooth and gray -brown, but becomes scaly and rough with increasing age.

The leaves of Malus toringo are alternately arranged, egg -shaped to lanceolate and usually 3 to 7 centimeters long. They have a finely serrated edge and are dark green on the top, while the underside is lighter and slightly hairy. A special property of this kind is the variability of the leaves; Some leaves are simple, while others are low, which gives the tree a unique appearance.

The flowers appear in spring, typically in April or May. They stand in dense umbels and are white to pale pink, with a diameter of about 2 to 3 centimeters. The flowers have five rounded petals and are very fragrant, which makes them particularly attractive for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The flowers are hermaphrodite and self -ingredients, which means that they are dependent on the fruit formation on foreign pollination.

Malus toringo's fruits are small, round and have a diameter of about 1 to 1.5 centimeters. When ripe, they are colored yellow to orange -red. The flesh is firm and sour in taste, which makes the fruits less for direct consumption, but ideal for the production of jams or jellies. The small, decorative fruits often get stuck on the tree until the winter and serve as a source of food for birds.

Distribution and habitat

Malus toringo is native to East Asia and mainly occurs in Japan, Korea and share China. In Japan, the way can be found in various regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu, often in mountainous areas and at forest edges. The tree prefers well -permeable soils and thrives in both sunny and partially shaded locations. It is adapted to a moderate climate and can survive both cold winter and hot summer.

The species often grows in mixed forests, on clearings and on river banks, where it is part of natural flora. In Japan, Malus toringo is often cultivated in traditional gardens, both because of his ornament and because of his resistance to various environmental conditions.

Ecology and reproduction

From a ecological point of view, Malus toringo plays an important role as part of the forest flora in East Asia. The flowers offer a valuable source of food for pollinators in spring, while the fruits are consumed by different bird species and small mammals in autumn and winter. These animals contribute to spreading seeds and thus promote the natural spread of the species.

The reproduction is mainly through seeds that germinate in the ground after the spread. The seeds need a cold period to successfully germinate, which is an adaptation to the climatic conditions in the moderate zones. Vegetative propagation, such as by cuttings, is also possible and is often used in cultivation to genetically identical offspring.

Meaning and use

Malus toringo has several applications, both in landscape design and in apple breeding. Due to its attractive flowers and the bright autumn color, the species is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks. The small, decorative fruits that stay on the tree until the winter give the tree a high decorative value.

In apple breeding, Malus toringo is used as important genetic resource due to its resistance to diseases and its adaptability to different environmental conditions. This species plays an important role, especially when breeding new apple varieties that are resistant to diseases such as Apple scab.