Final answer:
Apples are part of the Rosaceae or rose family, which also includes other familiar fruits like pears and cherries. The rose family is of relatively recent origin and species are subject to fire blight, a serious bacterial disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, apples are indeed part of the rose family, known as Rosaceae. This family also includes other fruits such as pears and cherries. The Rosaceae family is well-known for its various floral characteristics, and taxonomists have determined that these plants are of relatively recent origin in terms of plant evolution, primarily based on pollination methods like wind-pollination.
Furthermore, all members of the rose family are susceptible to a bacterial disease known as fire blight, which includes apples and pears. Fire blight can cause serious damage, leading to loss of crop yield and even plant death. Understanding these relationships and vulnerabilities is important for both botany and agriculture.