Peraphyllum
Genus of flowering plants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peraphyllum is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the rose family, containing the single species Peraphyllum ramosissimum, commonly known as wild crab apple.
| Peraphyllum Peraphyllum ramosissimum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
| Tribe: | Maleae |
| Subtribe: | Malinae |
| Genus: | Peraphyllum Nutt. |
| Species: | P. ramosissimum |
| Binomial name | |
| Peraphyllum ramosissimum Nutt. | |
Description
Peraphyllum ramosissimum is a shrub which may reach 3 metres (10 ft) in height.[1] Growing up to 3.5 centimetres (1+1⁄2 in) long,[1] the leaves are simple; they can grow very close together on short shoots but are well separated on longer shoots.[2]
Like most other flowering plants of the Rosaceae, P. ramosissimum has 5 petals and 5 sepals with radial symmetry. The flowers have about 15–20 free stamens, and the petals are white to rose in color. The fruit is a yellowish to purplish pome about 1 centimetre (1⁄2 in) wide.[1]
Taxonomy
Translated from the Greek, the genus Peraphyllum means "very leafy" and the species name ramosissimum means "many branches". Peraphyllum is most closely related to Amelanchier, Malacomeles, Crataegus, and Mespilus.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Peraphyllum ramosissimum grows in Washington, California, Oregon,[1] Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, usually in pine and juniper woodlands.[1] In California it can be found in the High Cascades, High Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert sky islands.
Uses
The ripe pome is edible and sweetish but has a bitter aftertaste.[1]
