Malus rockii
Malus rockii Rehder
Malus rockii Rehder is a species in the Rosaceae family, native to South-Central China and Tibet, typically found in terrestrial habitats between 1500 and 3800 m a.s.l. It is a tree reaching 8–10 m in height with elliptic to ovate leaves and white, obovate petals. The species produces red, subglobose pomes and flowers from May to June, with fruits maturing in September. Chromosome numbers include 2n = 34, 51, 54, 68.
Description
Malus rockii is a tree species in the Rosaceae family, described by Rehder in 1933. It occurs in mixed forests on slopes and in valleys, in seasonally green environments. The tree has branches that are terete and glabrescent when mature. Leaves are petiolate, with a puberulous blade abaxially or along the midvein. Flowers are arranged in umbellate inflorescences with 4–8 white petals. The pome is red, subglobose, and 1.0–1.5 cm in diameter. Chromosome counts for the species include 2n = 34, 51, 54, 68. Earlier treatments, such as Flora of China (2003), recognized Malus rockii and Pyrus baccata var. himalaica as nomenclatural synonyms, a classification that is supported here.
Distribution
Global · China South-Central · Tibet
Synonyms
Malus dirangensisMalus rockii var. calvostylataPyrus rockiiSinomalus rockii
