Skip to main content
Log in

Ethnobotany of the crab apple tree (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill., Rosaceae) in Spain

  • Notes on Neglected and Underutilized Crops
  • Published:
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The crab apple is the most widespread wild relative of the apple tree in Europe. Although it is more extended in the northern regions, in Spain this species is mainly located on mountainous areas. Archaeobotanical records show that human beings have used Malus sylvestris since ancient times. After an exhaustive search in almost 200 ethnobotanical and ethnographical works, a compilation of the traditional knowledge registered on Malus sylvestris in Spain is presented here. A total of 60 use-reports of 6 main use categories were registered, Human food being the most widespread, with almost half of the use-reports. Crab apples, often called maíllas in Spanish, were consumed either raw, usually after frost or over-maturation, or cooked, in jams and bakery. Other important food use was the elaboration of alcoholic beverages, both cider and, especially, liqueurs by macerating crab apples in liquor for several months. Besides Human food, the following important uses were as a rootstock for grafting apple tree; as medicinal remedies mentioned for treating several ailments, mainly those related with digestive system; and finally, the use of the ripe crab apples as air freshener thanks to their strong aroma. This study have shown the importance of this species in the past and may be a starting point for further research in several fields, such as Pharmacology, Cosmetics and Food Industry and could also serve for the revaluation and protection of this wild genetic resource.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  • Aceituno-Mata L (2010) Estudio Etnobotánico y Agroecológico de la Sierra Norte de Madrid. Tesis doctoral. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Aedo C, Muñoz Garmendia F, Navarro C et al (1998) Malus Mill. In: Castroviejo S (ed) Flora iberica. Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid, España, pp 438–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Akerreta S, Calvo MI, Cavero RY (2013) Sabiduría popular y plantas curativas (recopilación extraida de un estudio etnobotánico en Navarra). Ediciones I, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Alarcόn R, Pardo de Santayana M, Priestley C et al (2015) Medicinal and local food plants in the south of Alava (Basque Country, Spain). J Ethnopharmacol 176:207–224

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Allen D (2018) Irish traditional cooking. Hachette UK, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Anthos (2020) Sistema de información sobre las plantas de España. www.anthos.es. Accessed 25 July 2020

  • Arı S, Temel M, Kargıoğlu M, Konuk M (2015) Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in Afyonkarahisar-Turkey. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 11:84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-015-0067-6

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Arnal A, Lázaro A, Martínez Labarga JM, Tardío J (2017) Caracterización morfológica de manzanos (Malus spp.) en las Sierras de Guadarrama y de Ayllón. In: VII Congreso Forestal Español. Plasencia, España, p 13

  • Barandiaran J, Manterola A (1990) La alimentación doméstica en Vasconia. Atlas etnográfico de Vasconia, vol 3. Etniker Euskalerria y Eusko Jaurlaritza, Bilbao

  • Barandiaran J, Manterola A (2004) Medicina popular en Vasconia. Atlas etnográfico de Vasconia, vol 5. Etniker Euskalerria, Eusko Jaurlaritza y Gobierno de Navarra, Bilbao

  • Beer M (2003) Cooking with verjuice. Penguin Books, Victoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Blancas J, Casas A, Pérez-Salicrup D et al (2013) Ecological and socio-cultural factors influencing plant management in Náhuatl communities of the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 9:39. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-9-39

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco E (1998) Diccionario de etnobotánica segoviana. Pervivencia del conocimiento sobre las plantas. Ayuntamiento de Segovia, Segovia

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco E (2002) Etnobotánica en los Montes de Toledo. Asociación Cultural Montes de Toledo, Toledo

  • Blanco E (2015) Etnobotánica abulense. Las plantas de la cultura tradicional de Ávila. Colección Monografías de Botánica Ibérica, no 16. Jolube Consultor Botánico y Editor, Jaca, Huesca

  • Blanco E, Cuadrado C (2000) Etnobotánica en Extremadura. Estudio de La Calabria y La Siberia extremeñas. Emilio Blanco y CEP Alcoba de los Montes, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco E, Diez J (2005) Guía de la flora de Sanabria, Carballeda y los Valles. Catálogo de etnoflora selecta. ADISAC-La Voz, Zamora

    Google Scholar 

  • Blocker JS, Fahey DM, Tyrrell IR (2003) Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History: An International Encyclopedia, Volumen 1 (A-L). ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, California. Denver, Colorado

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonet MA, Vallès J (2002) Use of non-crop food vascular plants in Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). Int J Food Sci Nutr 53:225–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637480220132841

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Büttner R (2001) Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. In: Hanelt P (ed) Mansfeld’s Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, pp 478–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavero RY, Akerreta S, Calvo MI (2011a) Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in Northern Navarra (Iberian Peninsula). J Ethnopharmacol 133:138–146

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cavero RY, Akerreta S, Calvo MI (2011b) Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the Middle Navarra (Iberian Peninsula). J Ethnopharmacol 137:844–855

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cornara L, La Rocca A, Terrizzano L et al (2014) Ethnobotanical and phytomedical knowledge in the North-Western Ligurian Alps. J Ethnopharmacol 155:463–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JEP.2014.05.046

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cornille A, Gladieux P, Smulders MJM et al (2012) New insight into the history of domesticated apple: secondary contribution of the European wild apple to the genome of cultivated varieties. PLoS Genet 8:1. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002703

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornille A, Giraud T, Smulders MJM et al (2014) The domestication and evolutionary ecology of apples. Trends Genet 30:57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2013.10.002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Couplan F (1989) Le regal vegetal. Plantes sauvages comestibles. Encyclopedie des plantes comestibles de l’Europe, vol 1. Equilibres Aujourd’houi, Flers

  • Criado J, Fernández López JM, Leocadio G et al (2008) Uso tradicional de las plantas en Toledo. Diputación de Toledo, Toledo

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Noval B (2017) “Té” verde de hojas de manzano silvestre (Malus sylvestris). In: BCulinartLAB. http://www.bculinarylab.com/2017/07/17/138/. Accessed 4 Aug 2019

  • Díaz Fernández P, Ramos Miras J, San José Wéry A, et al (2009) Estudio etnoecológico de especies forestales comestibles en la provincia de Ávila. In: 5o Congreso Forestal Español. Sociedad Española de Ciencias Forestales y Junta de Castilla y León, Ávila

  • Dictionary.com (2020) Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/raki. Accessed 25 May 2020

  • Duan N, Bai Y, Sun H et al (2017) Genome re-sequencing reveals the history of apple and supports a two-stage model for fruit enlargement. Nat Commun 8:1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-00336-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duhamel du Monceau HL (1773) Tratado del cuidado y aprovechamiento de los montes y bosques: corta, poda, beneficio y uso de sus maderas y leñas. Joachin Ibarra, Madrid

  • Dupas de Matos A, Curioni A, Bakalinsky AT et al (2017) Chemical and sensory analysis of verjuice: an acidic food ingredient obtained from unripe grape berries. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 44:9–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2017.09.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dzhangaliev AD (2003) The wild apple tree of Kazakhstan. In: Janick J (ed) Horticultu. Wiley, New York, pp 63–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Fajardo J, Verde A, Rivera D, Obón C (2007) Etnobotánica en La Serranía de Cuenca. Las plantas y el hombre, Diputación de Cuenca, Cuenca

    Google Scholar 

  • Fern K (1997) Plants for a future: edible and useful plants for a healthier world, Reprinted. Permanent Publications, Hampshire

    Google Scholar 

  • Fern K (2019) Malus orientalis Uglitzk. ex Juz. (Rosaceae). In: Useful Temp. Plants Database. http://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Malus+orientalis. Accessed 15 Aug 2019

  • García Jiménez R (2007) Etnobotánica leonesa. Municipio de Palacios del Sil. Tesis doctoral. Facultad de Biología. Universidad Complutense de Madrid

  • Granzow de la Cerda I (1993) Etnobotánica. El mundo vegetal en la tradición. Centro de Cultura Tradicional. Diputación de Salamanca, Salamanca

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu C, Li C, Lu L, et al (2003) Rosaceae. In: Flora China. 9. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=10776. Accessed 15 Aug 2019

  • Güler B, Manav E, Uğurlu E (2015) Medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Bozüyük (Bilecik–Turkey). J Ethnopharmacol 173:39–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JEP.2015.07.007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guzmán M (1997) Aproximación a la etnobotánica de la provincia de Jaén. Tesis doctoral. Universidad de Granada

  • Heatherstone S (ed) (2016) Jams, jellies, and related products. In: A complete course in canning and related processes, vol 3. In: Processing procedures for canned food products, 14th edn. Woodhead Publishing, pp 313–349

  • Höfer M (2009) The crab apple Malus sylvestris—basis for a delicious fruit tea. In: Veteläinen M, Negri V, Maxted N (eds) European landraces onfarm conservation, management and use. Bioversity Technical Bulletin No. 15. Bioversity International, Rome, Italy, pp 283–286

  • Ignatov A, Bodishevskaya A (2011) Malus. In: Kole C (ed) Wild crop relatives: genomic and breeding resources. Temperate Fruits. Springer, Berlin, pp 45–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Irelandseye (2008) Irish trees and shrubs—crab apple. http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/travel/nature/trees/crab_apple/crab_apple.htm. Accessed 5 Aug 2019

  • Kalle R, Sõukand R (2012) Historical ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants of Estonia (1770s–1960s). Acta Soc Bot Pol 81:271–281. https://doi.org/10.5586/asbp.2012.033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kültür Ş (2008) An ethnobotanical study of Kırklareli (Turkey). Phytol Balc 14:279–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Lastra J (2003) Etnobotánica en el Parque Nacional de Picos de Europa. Organismo Autónomo Parques Nacionales. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Ledesma J (2004) Estudio del uso tradicional de las plantas silvestres en la sierra de Montsant. Trabajo de Fin de Carrera, Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal de Lleida

    Google Scholar 

  • Linnaeus C (1753) Species plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae

  • Menendez-Baceta G, Aceituno-Mata L, Tardío J et al (2012) Wild edible plants traditionally gathered in Gorbeialdea (Biscay, Basque Country). Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:1329–1347

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller P (1768) The gardeners dictionary (ed 8, vol 2), 4th edn. London

  • Mudge K, Janick J, Scofield S, Goldschmidt EE (2009) A History of grafting. Hortic Rev (Am Soc Hortic Sci) 35:437–493

    Google Scholar 

  • Mustafa B, Hajdari A, Pajazita Q et al (2012) An ethnobotanical survey of the Gollak region, Kosovo. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:739–754. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-011-9715-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pardo de Santayana M (2004) Guía de las plantas medicinales de Cantabria. Salud y tradición popular, Stvdio, Santander

    Google Scholar 

  • Pardo de Santayana M (2008) Estudios etnobotánicos en Campoo (Cantabria): conocimiento y uso tradicional de plantas. CSIC, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Pardo de Santayana M, Tardío J, Blanco E et al (2007) Traditional knowledge on wild edible plants in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal): a comparative study. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 3:27. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-3-27

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pardo de Santayana M, Morales R, Aceituno L, Molina M (2014) Inventario español de los conocimientos tradicionales relativos a la biodiversidad. Primera fase: introducción, metodología y fichas. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Madrid

  • Pardo de Santayana M, Morales R, Tardío J, et al (2018a) Inventario Español de los Conocimientos Tradicionales relativos a la Biodiversidad. Fase II (3). Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica, Madrid

  • Pardo de Santayana M, Morales R, Tardío J, et al (2018b) Inventario Español de los Conocimientos Tradicionales relativos a la Biodiversidad. Fase II (2). Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica, Madrid

  • Pardo de Santayana M, Morales R, Tardío J, Molina M (2018c) Inventario Español de los Conocimientos Tradicionales relativos a la Biodiversidad. Fase II (1). Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica, Madrid

  • Pascual Gil JC (2013) Etnobotánica de La Pernía, Polentinos y Valle de Castillería (Palencia). Ingeniería Técnica Agrícola, Universidad de Valladolid, Proyecto fin de carrera

    Google Scholar 

  • PFAF (2020) Malus sylvestris Mill. In: Plants A Futur. https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Malus+sylvestris. Accessed 4 Jun 2020

  • Phillips R (1994) Wild Food. Macmillan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieroni A, Elena M, Munz H, Turkovic A (2003) Ethnobotanical knowledge of the Istro-Romanians of Zejane in Croatia. Fitoterapia 74:710–719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2003.06.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pieroni A, Ibraliu A, Abbasi AM, Papajani-Toska V (2014) An ethnobotanical study among Albanians and Aromanians living in the Rraicë and Mokra areas of Eastern Albania. Genet Resour Crop Evol 62:477–500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-014-0174-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reim S, Proft A, Heinz S, Höfer M (2012) Diversity of the European indigenous wild apple Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. in the East Ore Mountains (Osterzgebirge), Germany: I. Morphological characterization. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:1101–1114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-011-9746-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reim S, Höltken A, Höfer M (2013) Diversity of the European indigenous wild apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) in the East Ore Mountains (Osterzgebirge), Germany: II. Genetic characterization. Genet Resour Crop Evol 60:879–892. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-012-9885-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rigat M (2005) Estudi etnobotànic de la Vall de Camprodon (Alta Vall del Ter, Pirineus). Tesis de máster. Facultat de Farmàcia. Universitat de Barcelona

  • Rigat M, Bonet MA, García-Giménez S et al (2009) Ethnobotany of food plants in the High River Ter Valley (Pyrenees, Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): non-crop food vascular plants and crop food plants with medicinal properties. Ecol Food Nutr 48:303–326

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rivera D, Verde A, Fajardo J et al (2006) Guía etnobotánica de los alimentos locales recolectados en la provincia de Albacete. Instituto de Estudios Albacetenses, Albacete

    Google Scholar 

  • Rottoli M (2014) Before the empire: prehistoric fruit gathering and cultivation in Northern Italy. In: Chevalier A, Marinova E, Peña-Chocarro L (eds) Plants and people: choices and diversity through time. Oxbow Books, Oxford, pp 163–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruhsam M, Jessop W, Cornille A et al (2018) Crop-to-wild introgression in the European wild apple Malus sylvestris in Northern Britain. For An Int J For Res. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpy033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • San Miguel E (2004) Etnobotánica de Piloña (Asturias). Cultura y saber popular sobre las plantas en un concejo del centro-oriente asturiano. Tesis doctoral. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

  • Šarić-Kundalić B, Dobeš C, Klatte-Asselmeyer V, Saukel J (2010) Ethnobotanical study on medicinal use of wild and cultivated plants in middle, south and west Bosnia and Herzegovina. J Ethnopharmacol 131:33–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.061

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Senkardes I, Tuzlaci E (2014) Some ethnobotanical notes from Gundogmus District (Antalya/Turkey). J Marmara Univ Inst Heal Sci. https://doi.org/10.5455/musbed.20140303070652

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stephan BR, Wagner I, Kleinschmit J (2003) EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines for genetic conservation and use for Wild apple and pear (Malus sylvestris and Pyrus pyraster). International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardío J, Pardo-de-Santayana M (2008) Cultural importance indices: a comparative analysis based on the useful wild plants of southern Cantabria (northern Spain). Econ Bot 62:24–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardío J, Pardo-de-Santayana M (2016) Ethnobotanical analysis of wild fruits and vegetables traditionally consumed in Spain. Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants: Ethnobotany and Food Composition Tables. Springer, New York, pp 57–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardío J, Pascual H, Morales R (2002) Alimentos silvestres de Madrid. Guía de plantas y setas de uso alimentario tradicional en la Comunidad de Madrid. Ediciones La Librería. 3a ed. en 2017, Madrid

  • Tardío J, Pascual H, Morales R (2005) Wild food plants traditionally used in the province of Madrid. Econ Bot 59:122–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardío J, Pardo de Santayana M, Morales R (2006) Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain. Bot J Linn Soc 152:27–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Terpó A (1981) Malus Mill. In: Tutin TG, Heywood VH, Burges NA et al (eds) Flora Europaea. Cambridge, Cambridge, pp 66–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Turok J, Eriksson G, Russell K, Bor S (2002) Noble Hardwoods Network, Report of the fourth meeting, 4–6 September 1999, Gmunden, Austria, and the fifth meeting, 17–19 May 2001, Blessington, Ireland. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wyk B (2005) Food plants of the world: an illustrated guide. Timber Press, Portland, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasco JM, Criado J, Blanco E (2010a) Usos tradicionales de las plantas en la provincia de Salamanca. Diputación de Salamanca, Salamanca

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasco R, Zharkikh A, Affourtit J et al (2010b) The genome of the domesticated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.). Nat Genet 42:833–839. https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.654

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Verde A (2002) Estudio etnofarmacológico de tres áreas de montaña de Castilla-La Mancha. Tesis doctoral, Universidad de Murcia

  • Verde A, Rivera D, Obón C (1998) Etnobotánica en la sierras de Segura y Alcaraz: las plantas y el hombre. Instituto de Estudios Albacetenses, Albacete

    Google Scholar 

  • Verde A, Fajardo J, Rivera D, Obón C (2000) Etnobotánica en el entorno del Parque Nacional de Cabañeros. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Parques Nacionales, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Verde A, Rivera D, Fajardo J et al (2008) Guía de las plantas medicinales de Castilla-La Mancha (y otros recursos de uso tradicional). Altabán ediciones, Albacete

    Google Scholar 

  • Withering W (1776) A botanical arrangement of all the vegetables naturally growing in Great Britain: with descriptions of the genera and species, according to the system of the celebrated Linnaeus. Volume 1, Cambridge. Cambridge

  • Woolgar CM (2010) Food and the middle ages. J Mediev Hist 36:1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmedhist.2009.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zlatković BK, Bogosavljević SS, Radivojević AR, Pavlović MA (2014) Traditional use of the native medicinal plant resource of Mt. Rtanj (Eastern Serbia): ethnobotanical evaluation and comparison. J Ethnopharmacol 151:704–713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.037

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zohary D (1997) Wild apples and wild pears. Bocconea 7:409–416

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We want to thank to INIA for granting a predoctoral contract to Alberto Arnal (CPD-0144) and to IMIDRA for financing this research (FP-2017-MZ). We also acknowledge to Mario Vega for the cession of one of the photographs of Fig. 3 and to Manuel Pardo de Santayana, coordinator of the Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity, for collaborating in the search of ethnobotanical data and to all the Team of this amazing project. We are also grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their valuable remarks that surely improved the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Tardío.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human participants

Although primary ethnobotanical research involve human participants, this is a revision paper.

Informed consent

All the ethnobotanical data has been compiled from published or unpublished (doctoral thesis) sources that are supposed to be done following the informed consent rules.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tardío, J., Arnal, A. & Lázaro, A. Ethnobotany of the crab apple tree (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill., Rosaceae) in Spain. Genet Resour Crop Evol 68, 795–808 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-020-01026-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-020-01026-y

Keywords

Navigation