Small to medium-sized tree of wet forests, found at scattered locations throughout North Carolina, primarily in the Coastal Plain and southern Mountains. Fairly rare in the Piedmont of NC. Quite showy in bloom.

Clay Co., NC 5/14/05.

The differences between this species and Malus coronaria are subtle. The leaves of angustifolia are narrower, usually more than 2 times as long as broad and have more rounded tips, while those of coronaria are usually less than 2 times as long as broad and have more pointed tips.

Alleghany Co., NC 6/18/06.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/27/07.

Spur twigs are often tipped with a spine.

Alleghany Co., NC 6/18/06.

The leaf shape of this one seems better for coronaria. Weakley says coronaria occurs in the Coastal Plain, but other sources show it is restricted to the Mountains.

Columbus Co., NC 7/19/03.

Bark detail.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/27/07.

Bark of a larger tree.

Columbus Co., NC 7/19/03.