An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (Malus domestica). Apple trees are cultivated
worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus Malus. The tree
originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today. Apples
have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and were brought to
North America by European colonists. Apples have religious and mythological significance in many
cultures, including Norse, Greek, and European Christian tradition.
Apple trees are large if grown from seed. Generally, apple cultivars are propagated by grafting onto
rootstocks, which control the size of the resulting tree. There are more than 7,500 known
cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred
for various tastes and use, including cooking, eating raw and cider production.
Trees and fruit are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial and pest problems, which can be
controlled by a number of organic and non-organic means. In 2010, the fruit's genome was
sequenced as part of research on disease control and selective breeding in apple production.
