''Malus ioensis'', known as the Iowa crab or prairie crabapple, is a species of

crabapple ''Malus'' ( or ) is a genus of about 30–55 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including the domesticated orchard apple, crab apples, wild apples, and rainberries. The genus is native to the temperate zone o ...

tree native to the United States. The most common

variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

, ''M. ioensis'' var. ''ioensis'', is found primarily in the prairie regions of the upper

Mississippi Valley The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it ...

. Another variety, ''M. ioensis'' var. ''texana'', or the Texas crabapple, is found only in a small region of central Texas.''Malus ioensis''
at the

USDA The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...

Natural Resources Conservation Service The Iowa crab can grow up to 10 meters (35 feet) in height. It bears white or pink flowers in the summer and small apple-like berries in the fall.Malus ioensis
at the

University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,07 ...

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Various wildlife consume the fruit.

References

ioensis Crabapples Endemic flora of the United States Flora of the North-Central United States Flora of the United States Flora of the South-Central United States Fruits originating in North America Plants described in 1861 Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Malus-stub