Identifying the Mysterious Bush with Apple-Like Fruit

January 1, 2025 by Robby

Have you ever stumbled upon a strange bush with apple-like fruit in your yard or garden and wondered what it could be? You’re not alone! Many gardeners have discovered these odd plants with fruit resembling small green apples but no stem and thorns on the branches. Determining the identity of this mystery bush can be a tricky but rewarding challenge

This peculiar bush has stumped many over the years, popping up in backyards from Indiana to New Jersey and beyond. Its dark green, apple-like leaves provide few clues, while itsthorny branches and close-to-the-branch fruit set it apart from typical apple trees. Only with some sleuthing and input from knowledgeable sources can its secrets be uncovered.

The mystery bush most likely belongs to the Chaenomeles or quince genus. Quince shrubs produce fruits resembling hard, astringent apples used for jams and jellies rather than fresh eating. They have beautiful blooms ranging from white and pink to brilliant red that appear in spring before the leaves emerge. Their thorns make pruning and harvesting the fruit a prickly endeavor.

Chaenomeles japonica or Japanese quince is a likely suspect. It has the telltale thorns and apple-like fruit without stems. The leaves also match the classic quince shape. Another possibility is Chaenomeles speciosa the flowering quince, which comes in several popular varieties like ‘Cameo’ with pink blooms or ‘Texas Scarlet’ with vibrant red flowers.

While edible, quince fruit tends to be rock hard and mouth-puckeringly tart. Cooking tames some of their astringency, making them ideal for preserves, sauces, and baking. If you’re adventurous, try adding some quince to your next batch of applesauce or pie filling.

To positively identify the mystery bush, look for clues when it blooms in spring. Quince shrubs produce flowers before foliage each year, while most apple varieties flower after leafing out. Examine the five-part seed structure inside the cut fruit; apple seeds form a star shape while quince seeds cluster. Also inspect where old fruits detach – quince stems stay attached to the branch after dropping.

Consulting local university extension offices or horticultural professionals can provide more definitive answers. Master gardeners are excellent resources, offering free plant identification and care advice. Online gardening forums like GardenWeb connect you to experts around the world to solve your garden mysteries.

Far from being a nuisance, the thorny mystery bush offers unique aesthetic and edible attributes. With its tangle of twigs adorned with abundant blossoms and curious fruit, the quince injects uncommon beauty and character into the landscape. Solving the mystery of this unexpected garden visitor brings the satisfaction of converting confusion into enlightenment.

quince: 10
thorns: 4
Chaenomeles: 3
apple: 7
bush: 5
fruit: 7
leaves: 2
garden: 3
flowering quince: 1
Japanese quince: 1
Chaenomeles japonica: 1
Chaenomeles speciosa: 1

bush with apple like fruit

Additional InformationWhite, pink, orange, salmon, or red single or double flowers (depending on variant) occur in late April, are born on old wood just before the leaves fully emerge, and occur singly or 2-4 per cluster, creating an excellent dispersal of coloring throughout the shrub. Sparsely produces small, apple-like fruits, commonly called quinces, that are edible if used in preserves; harvest in October. Widely adapted to different soils and microclimates. Place in full sun location for best flower display, although it is tolerant to partial shade. Subject to occasional scale and mite infestation, apple scab, and fireblight. Leaf spot causes lateral leaves to drop prematurely; abundant rainfall early in the growing season can also cause this problem. Some pruning is needed to maintain form, and spiny branching can make that difficult. Rejuvenate periodically by pruning to a quite low (6″) framework. Collects trash in the branches. Rabbits like to chew up the twigs and small branches. Little seasonal interest after the one week of flower show, restricting its usability.

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2010_08668*A	TERM

Growing Apples on Espalier Tree

FAQ

Can you eat bush apples?

Bininj/Mungguy eat the fruits raw and use the juice of the cooked apple to sooth sore throats, coughs and chest congestion. The leaves are made into a tea to treat stomach problems, while heated leaves can be applied to wounds to stop bleeding and swelling.

What bush has thorns and apple-like fruit?

Crataegus canadensis, the Canadian hawthorn tree, typically grows to about 30 feet tall and produces clusters of white flowers in late spring and early summer and crops of tiny, red, apple-like fruit in the fall and winter. It has dark-brown bark with long thorns.

What fruit looks like an apple but isn’t?

Quince. This fruit comes from the same family as the pear, but it can’t be eaten raw. Slices of quince go well with apple, in desserts such as apple crumble. Quince smells of perfume when cooked, and some people use it as an air freshener for their home or car.

Are there poisonous crab apple look alikes?

One highly toxic lookalike to the wild apple is the Manchineel Tree (Hippomane mancinella), also called the manzanilla de la muerte or “little apple of death.” Thankfully, these are pretty rare, and not widely distributed.

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