408 



GENEKAL BOTANY 



MALUS (APPLES AND CKABS) 



The cultivated apples and crabs (Fig. 258) are known to have 

 had a common origin from wild ancestors resembling the wild 

 crabs of to-day. In many instances these wild ancestors are of 



FIG. 258. American crab (Pyrus coronaria) 



a, winter twigs; 6, portion of twig enlarged showing leaf scar and bud; d, inflores- 

 cence ; e, flower in long section, with petals removed, showing its epigynous character ; 

 /, fruit (pome). Photograph furnished by Dr. Charles H. Otis 



American origin, but in other instances, particularly in the case 

 of apples, the early ancestors are of European origin, and the 

 cultivated varieties therefore originated on foreign soil. The 

 plants are in all instances trees of a diffuse habit of growth and 

 are of no particular value except for the production of fruit. 



