What is malus asiatica?

Malus asiatica, commonly known as Asiatic apple or Chinese apple, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is native to eastern Asia, primarily China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Asiatic apples grow up to 10 meters tall and have a rounded crown. The leaves are oval or elliptical, and the flowers are pink or white and bloom in the spring. The fruit is small, round, and yellow-green with a sweet and sour taste, similar to crabapples.

Malus asiatica is grown as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks, and the fruit is popular in Asia for making preserves, pickles, and sauces. The tree is also used in traditional Chinese medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

In recent years, Malus asiatica has gained attention as a potential crop for producing bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have health-promoting effects. Several studies have shown that these compounds may have anti-tumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities.