Malus sylvestris found that current populations of "M. pumila" are more closely related to "M. sylvestris" than to "M. sieversii". However, in more pure strains of "M. pumila" the "M. sieversii" ancestry still predominates. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects. Its leaves are food of the caterpillars of the twin-spotted sphinx ("Smerinthus jamaicensis") and possibly the hawthorn moth ("Scythropia crataegella"). Malus sylvestris Malus sylvestris, the European crab apple, is a species of the genus "Malus", native to Europe. Its scientific name means "forest apple" and the truly wild tree has thorns. Wild apple has an expanded crown and often
Malus baccata by 4–6. Petals are white and egg-shaped, approximately 2–2.5 cm (0.8-1.0 inches) long. Fruits are red to yellow and spherical, only about 1 cm (0.4 inches) in diameter; they form dense clusters and resemble cherries from a distance. Flowering occurs in spring, with fruits appearing in September–October. The subordinate taxa include "Malus baccata" is used as ornament for its flowers and fruit. Fruits are edible and are eaten fresh or dried. As one of the tallest and most resistant to cold and pest species of its genus, "M. baccata" is used for experimental breeding and grafting of other crabapples and