Allington Pippin Apple Malus domestica 'Allington Pippin' (D)

Names

• Family

  Rosaceae

• Synonyms

  Allington Pippin Apple

• Common names

  Malus domestica 'Allington Pippin'.

Toxicity

• To humans

  The Apple tree, specifically the 'Allington Pippin' variety, is not toxic to humans when it comes to its fruit. Apples are widely consumed and are safe for human ingestion. However, the seeds inside the apple can contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when chewed and digested in large quantities. Accidental ingestion of small amounts of seeds is generally not harmful due to the low concentration of cyanide, but consuming a large number of apple seeds could potentially lead to cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include headache, confusion, agitation, difficulty breathing, and can be fatal in extreme cases. It is important to core apples and discard the seeds, especially when preparing apples for small children, to avoid any potential risk.

• To pets

  The Apple tree, specifically the 'Allington Pippin' variety, is generally not toxic to pets when it comes to the flesh of the fruit, which can be a healthy treat in moderation. However, similar to humans, the seeds contain small amounts of amygdalin, a compound that can release cyanide when digested. While accidental ingestion of a few seeds is unlikely to cause harm, ingesting a large quantity could be toxic and lead to symptoms such as dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, dizziness, collapse, hyperventilation, shock, and in extreme cases, even death. Therefore, it is advisable for pet owners to remove the seeds before offering apple slices to their pets to ensure their safety.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  White

• Height

  10-20 feet (3-6 meters)

• Spread

  10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)

• Plant type

  Tree

• Hardiness zones

  5

• Native area

  Europe

General Benefits

• Economic value: Malus domestica 'Allington Pippin' is an apple cultivar that can provide fruit for commercial sale and personal consumption.
• Ornamental appeal: This apple variety has an attractive appearance when in bloom with its flowers, and also as it bears fruit, offering aesthetic value to gardens and orchards.
• Wildlife support: The flowers can provide a food source for pollinators like bees, while the fruit can serve as food for various bird species.
• Shade and microclimate control: As a tree, it can offer shade and create cooler microenvironments underneath its canopy, which can be beneficial for underplantings or providing relief on sunny days.
• Soil improvement: The root system helps in preventing soil erosion and can also contribute to the soil's organic matter as leaves and fallen fruit decompose.
• Recreational activities: Growing this apple cultivar can be a hobby and provides an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to engage in fruit cultivation and orcharding.
• Educational value: It can be used as a tool for teaching about plant life cycles, horticulture, and fruit production methods.
• Cultural significance: Malus domestica 'Allington Pippin', like many apple varieties, holds cultural importance in various traditions and can be a part of festivals and celebrations.
• Food production: Provides apples that can be eaten fresh, cooked, or processed into various products like cider, juice, pies, and sauces.
• Genetic diversity: Contributing to the overall gene pool of apple cultivars, which is essential for breeding programs and maintaining healthy fruit populations.

Medical Properties

• Dietary Fiber: The apple, including 'Allington Pippin', is known for being a good source of dietary fiber, which can aid in digestive health.
• Vitamin C: Apples contain Vitamin C, which is important for immune system function and skin health.
• Antioxidants: 'Allington Pippin' apples, like other apple varieties, may contain antioxidants such as quercetin and flavonoids that are beneficial in reducing oxidative stress.
• Potential to Lower Cholesterol: Pectin, a type of soluble fiber found in apples, can help to lower cholesterol levels.
• Blood Sugar Regulation: The fiber in apples can help to slow the absorption of sugar, potentially offering benefits for blood sugar regulation.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Culinary Art: Apple peels from Allington Pippin apples can be candied or dried, to be used as a decorative and flavorful addition to desserts and pastries.
• Natural Dyes: The skin and core of the apples can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yielding hues ranging from yellow to pink, depending on the mordant used.
• Craft Material: Dried apple slices from Allington Pippin can serve as rustic and fragrant components in homemade potpourris or as decorative accents in wreaths and floral arrangements.
• Apple Wood Smoking Chips: Pruned branches from the apple tree can be dried and used as smoking chips to infuse meats with a fruity, smoky flavor.
• Education: Apple trees are used in educational orchards and school gardens to teach students about fruit growth, pollination, and the importance of local food production.
• Fruit Pectin Source: The high pectin content in Allington Pippin apples can be extracted and used as a natural thickening agent for jams, jellies, and sauces.
• Printmaking: Cut apple halves can be dipped in paint and used to make apple prints, an easy and fun art activity for children.
• Potential Furniture Wood: While not a common use, apple wood can be crafted into small wooden items or furniture, prized for its hardness and fine grain.
• Gardening Aid: Fallen apples or those unsuitable for consumption can be composted to enrich the soil and support the health of garden plants.
• Wildlife Habitat: Apple trees can provide shelter and food for various birds and small mammals, contributing to biodiversity in the garden environment.

Feng Shui

The apple tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The apple tree is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Knowledge and Wisdom: The Malus domestica, commonly known as the apple, often symbolizes knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment, stemming from the biblical story of Adam and Eve where the apple represented the fruit of knowledge.
• Love and Desire: Apples have been a powerful symbol in mythology and folklore as representations of love and desire, possibly because of their association with goddesses of love like Aphrodite.
• Fertility and Abundance: Due to their abundant fruit and the many seeds found inside each apple, these trees are often seen as symbols of fertility and abundance.
• Beauty and Perfection: The symmetrical shape and attractive colors of apples have made them symbols of beauty and artistic perfection.
• Eternal Life and Immortality: In some cultures, apples are associated with eternal life or immortality, particularly in Norse and Greek mythology where gods consumed apples for sustenance.
• Peace and Tranquility: In historical contexts, apples were sometimes used as offerings or symbols to convey peace or to calm tensions, suggesting tranquility.
• Health and Vitality: The saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" underscores the apple's longstanding association with health, vitality, and the benefits of eating fresh, wholesome foods.