Apple

Botanical Name: Malus sylvestris (Crab apple), Pyrus malus (Cultivated apple)

Family: Rose

Other Names: Bittersgall, fruit of the underworld, gribble, grindstone apple scrab, scrogg, sour grapes, wilding tree

Habitat: Woods, hedges Description: Deciduous Grows up to 9m/30ft with a girth of 3m/10ft. Oval leaves with wedge shaped base. Bright green on top, pale underneath. Purplish buds with white hair White flowers (wild), pink tinged flowers & thorn-less (domestic) open April - May Cultivation: Moist, fertile soil with plenty of light.

Native to: Britain, Europe, and Asia

Actions: Aperients, digestive stimulant, hypocholesterolemic, laxative, nutritive

Constituents: Iron, malic acid, soluble fibre

Circulatory, muscle joint: Rheumatism

Respiratory: Sore throats

Digestive: Constipation, high cholesterol, indigestion, diarrhoea

Immune:Fevers, cleanses blood Nervous system: Balance, addictions

Other Notes: The apple represents the sun, immortality, the underworld, love and love goddesses

Cut an apple in half and a 5 pentagram is revealed

The cross section of an apple is heart shaped

Myths: Apples were given to poets by the Fairy Queen

Associated with the Isle of Avalon

Sacred to the druids

Most common host to mistletoe

Apple trees were often wassailed. A ceremony where people give blessings, prayers poems said, and cedar poured over the tree roots etc in order to please the tree spirit and ensure a good crop

It is said that if sunlight can be seen shining through the branches of a apple tree on December 25th then there will be a good crop the following year

Associated with the Celtic God Abellio

If apples have thick skins then it is thought a harsh winter will follow

A bloom on the tree when the apple are ripe, Is a sure termination of somebody's life

Till St Swithin's day be past, The apples be not fit to taste