It was described botanically by
Willdenow in the genus
Pyrus and was transferred to
Malus in 1803.
Varieties Malus prunifolia has at least four varieties, some are grown for their fruit: •
Malus prunifolia var.
obliquipedicellata X.W. Li & J.W. Sun •
M. prunifolia var.
prunifolia •
M. prunifolia var.
ringo Asami (Chinese apple) •
M. prunifolia var.
rinki (Koidz.) Rehder P.L.Wilson (plum-leaf or Chinese crabapple) == Distribution and habitat ==