Ornamental crab apples constitute one of the many groups of plants that would be greatly benefited by a through appraisal of their good as well as their favorable qualities, their usefulness and their requirement.
Superior crab apple hybrid individual (Pioneer X) well selected among the Malus hopa (Hopa) × Malus sargentii (Sargent).
1. Pioneer X crab apple is very floriferous. The flower buds are dark red, becoming lighter as they are about to open. The single pink blossoms are usually 2∼3㎝ diameter in mid-April.
2. The leaf size in width of Pioneer X is intermediate between the parent; however, leaf shape tends to be resembled to the pollen tree, Malus sargcntii, whereas the leaf color tends to be resembled to its mother tree, Malus hopa.
3. The fruit skin of the Pioneer X crab is red, and about 1.5cm in diameter. The flesh of fruit is also purplish-yellow and the fruits remained until late winter. Hence not only Pioneer X fruits have high ornamental value, but also birds like them.
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