Sorbus aucuparia L.
Fully-hardy conical to rounded tree with pinnate leaves, to 20cm long, composed of up to 12 lance-shaped, sharply-toothed leaflets, and corymbs, to 12cm across, of white flowers in spring, followed by orange-red berries. To 15m. [RHSE, Hortus. Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
An ancient garden plant. ‘Many superstitious qualities are attributed by the Scottish Highlanders to their Roan-tree, which is especially famous as a protection against charms and witchcraft. The fruit, soaked in water to extract some of its bitterness, and then boiled with sugar, makes a kind of jelly, which is tolerably flavoured. A spirit is also reported by Lightfoot to be distilled from these berries. Birds of the Thrush kind devour them with avidity; and our Mountain Ash trees, planted for ornament in most parts of England, are thus unfortunately stripped, early in autumn, of their produce.’ [Smith - The English Flora vol.II, p.365/1828].
Saint-Hilaire Arb. pl.85/1824.
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.943/1850].
Notes
Sorbus aucuparia Stell. = Pyrus sambucifolia Cham. & Schltdl.
Sorbus aucuparia Poir. (1806) = Pyrus americana Cooper
Published Feb 06, 2010 - 04:37 PM | Last updated Aug 12, 2010 - 06:15 PM
Sorbus aucuparia L. | Saint-Hilaire Arb. pl.85/1824 | BHL
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Europe, Asia |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Mountain ash, Rowan |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Sorbus aucuparia |
| Confidence level | high |