Malus sikkimensis

Malus sikkimensis is a rare species of apple known by the common name Sikkim crabapple. Its Chinese name is xi jin hai tang (锡金海棠). It is native to China, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, Tibet and parts of India, where it is threatened due to loss of habitat.

It bears white and pink flowers and dark red fruit which are edible. The fruits are a primary source (within India and Himalayas) of dietary dihydrochalcones and flavonoids (both organic compounds). An extract of the fruit of M. sikkimensis has potential for protective and therapeutic properties (Shri et al. 2018).

It was first published in Gatt. Pomac. on page 27 in 1890.