Malus hupehensis Malus hupehensis Malus hupehensis, common names Chinese crab apple, Hupeh crab or tea crabapple, is a species of flowering plant in the apple genus "Malus" of the family Rosaceae. It is native to China. "Malus hupehensis" is a vigorous deciduous tree growing to tall and broad. It has pink buds, opening to fragrant white blossoms in Spring. It produces bright red, cherry-sized crab-apples in the Autumn. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental tree, for planting in gardens. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. "Malus" is the ancient Latin name for apple trees. "Hupehensis" means
Malus are borne in corymbs, and have five petals, which may be white, pink or red, and are perfect, with usually red stamens that produce copious pollen, and a half-inferior ovary; flowering occurs in the spring after 50–80 growing degree days (varying greatly according to subspecies and cultivar). Apples require cross-pollination between individuals by insects (typically bees, which freely visit the flowers for both nectar and pollen); all are self-sterile, and (with the exception of a few specially developed cultivars) self-pollination is impossible, making pollinating insects essential. Several "Malus" species, including domestic apples, hybridize freely. They are used as food plants