Apple

Audio Narration

Transcript

The genus Malus is a member of the rose family and includes edible apples and crabapples. The rose family is a huge family that includes herbs, shrubs and trees. Most species are deciduous, but some are evergreen. They have a worldwide range, but are most diverse in the northern hemisphere. Many economically important products come from the rose family, including edible fruits such as pears, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, rosehips and almonds.

Malus is a diverse group of trees and shrubs represented globally by 30 to 55 species that are native throughout the northern hemisphere. There are also hundreds of introduced and named cultivars. They have a pome, or central core, that contains many smaller seeds inside the edible fruit.

Prunus is also in the rose family. Although they are predominantly grown for their fruit, some like the almond are grown for the stone or seed. Like apples, these trees and shrubs are also very ornamental in the spring with beautiful pink and white blossoms.

The rotating cubes at the bottom of the sign picture 12 different apple varieties. How many can you recognize?