Npn-plant

paradise apple (Malus pumila)

  • This is part of Allergy Agents
  • When to observe: Year-round
  • What to observe: Flowers, Fruits, and Leaves
  • Where to observe:
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Paradise apple is a USA-NPN calibration plant species. Calibration species have broad distributions and are ecologically or economically important. The NPN integrates observations on calibration species to get "the big picture" of plant responses to climate across the nation. In addition, this species is an allergen. Observations on its phenology will provide valuable information to benefit people with allergies and the public health community.
Paradise apple is a deciduous tree growing 15 to 40 feet tall. Its showy, white to pinkish flowers have both male and female parts and are arranged in small clusters along the branches. Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Paradise apple will grow on a variety of soils, well-drained and moist, but prefers a heavy loam soil. It is primarily grown agriculturally and ornamentally in the U.S. and has many cultivars.
You should observe...
Here are the phenophases you should observe about this plant.
Leaves Breaking leaf buds

One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base.
Leaves

One or more live unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible. New small leaves may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible. Do not include dried or dead leaves.
Increasing leaf size

A majority of leaves on the plant have not yet reached their full size and are still growing larger. Do not include new leaves that continue to emerge at the ends of elongating stems throughout the growing season.

Colored leaves

One or more leaves (including any that have recently fallen from the plant) have turned to their late-season colors.
Falling leaves

One or more leaves are falling or have recently fallen from the plant.
Flowers Flowers

One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.
Open flowers

One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

Fruits Fruits

One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.
Ripe fruits

One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

Recent fruit drop

One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.
If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color or fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation.
The main "wild" ancestor of the domestic apple is said to have come from Europe and is classified as Malus sylvestris. Although there is dispute over who cultivated the first wild apples and where they were cultivated, it is widely thought that the Romans were the first to cultivate them into the large, juicy fruits that we have today. The fruits of Malus pumila contain malic and tartaric acids that inhibit fermentation in the intestines, and high amounts of fiber and pectin that aid in digestion.

Gardens with this plant

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