Apple - introduced (*Malus pumila)

Family: Rosaceae (Rose family).

Native of Europe and Asia.

Occurrence: Widespread, often germinating from discarded apple cores. It is also dispersed by birds. It is found along roads, along tracks and near orchards.

Identification:

• it is a deciduous tree with oval, finely toothed leaves
• the upper leaf-surface has a sparse covering of fine hairs; the lower leaf surface is densely covered with fine hairs
• it grows apples.

Apples are undesirable weeds as they can harbour pests of apple orchards.

Photos 1: Apple leaves. The leaves are finely toothed, and pale underneath. Photo of a roadside weed.
2, 3: Flowers and fruit. The fruit vary markedly in colour. Castlemaine.