Malus florentina Malus florentina Malus florentina is a species of apple known by the common names Florentine crabapple and hawthorn-leaf crabapple. It is native to the Balkan Peninsula and Italy, and it is grown elsewhere as an ornamental tree. The botanical name "florentina" and common name "florentine" are remarking the source of the municipality of Florence, Italy that has a major history of botanical collection in their famous renaissance gardens, and the other common name "hawthorn-leaf" is remarking its distinct toothed leaf shape which closely resembles that of a hawthorn and is unusual for a crabapple. Tree is deciduous, upright and vase
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