Crab apple is a deciduous plant, hailed as the symbol of fertility. It can survive for as long as 100 years, achieving a beautiful height of 10 meters with a reasonably thick trunk. It is considered one of the most ancient ancestors of the cultivated apple trees.
Its plant is characterized by flush pink flowers that appear in showy masses and ovate leaves that are serrated along the margins, growing in alternate fashion on the twigs. A mature crab apple tree renders an irregularly round-shaped canopy that runs far and wide. Its flecked bark with twigs developing spines gives it a crabbed and twisted appearance, so named crab apple.
Desert enthusiasts love to make pies, tarts, jams, and jellies out of crab apples. They are high in pectin, giving jellies their stellar jiggly texture. They are a rich source of Vitamin C, which fortifies our immune system and helps our bodies fight against a vast array of ailments. Crab apples also contain malic acid and tartaric acid, giving the fruit its signature flavor and healing properties. It can be used to heal inflammation, fever, constipation, indigestion, and gout.