The leaves of Malus coronaria are simple, alternate and toothed, 3 to 8 cm long and about half as wide. The leaves are glabrous on the undersurface when mature, a feature that distinguishes it from the similar Malus ioensis. The branches usually have thorns. The fruits are small apples about 2.5-3.5 cm long. See the discussion of Malus ioensis.

Malus coronaria grows from New York to Georgia and west to Missouri. In Wisconsin it is known only from a few sites in the extreme southestern counties. It is also cultivated.