Malus tschonoskii Malus tschonoskii Malus tschonoskii (common names Chonosuki crab and pillar apple) is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to Japan. The specific epithet "tschonoskii" refers to the 19th century Japanese botanist Sugawa Tschonoski. "Malus tschonoskii" is a strong-growing deciduous tree, it has a distinctive columnar habit and is particularly noted for its autumn colouring, when the glossy mid-green leaves turn to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, purple and scarlet. Single white flowers, tinged pink, appear in May and are followed by rounded red-flushed yellow-green crabapples. "Malus tschonoskii" grows well in many soil types, doing best in
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