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Pacific crabapple

Malus fusca

Last reviewed: October 2026

Pacific crabapple (Malus fusca) is a perennial tree native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees.

Pacific crabapple (Malus fusca)
Photo: (c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Pacific crabapple (Malus fusca) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

240"–480" H × 180"–300" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangePuget LowlandMarine West Coast ForestNorthwestern Forested Mountains

This crabapple is a deciduous tree, often multi-trunked and thicket-forming, with white to pink spring blossoms followed by small tart red-purple fruit. It grows along riparian corridors and other wetland edges.

Growing Pacific crabapple

Grow Pacific crabapple in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

Host plant for Lorquin's Admiral.

The spring blossoms are visited by bees, the small fruit persists into winter as food for birds, and the foliage is a documented larval host for the Lorquin's Admiral butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Pacific crabapple need?
Pacific crabapple grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Pacific crabapple bloom?
Pacific crabapple blooms in April and May.
Where is Pacific crabapple native?
Pacific crabapple (Malus fusca) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Pacific crabapple host?
Pacific crabapple is a larval host plant for Lorquin's Admiral.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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