Sorbus aucuparia L. var. xanthocarpa Hartwig & Rümpler
Sorbus aucuparia L.
European mountain ash, rowan
European mountain ash is native to Europe and Asia, but widely planted in northern North America as an ornamental. Curiously, though, it isn’t an ash—it is a member of the rose family.
Plants: A deciduous tree 20–40′ (6.1–12 m) tall, with a narrow, oval crown. Twigs have long, bent, soft fine hairs. Bark is gray-green or yellowish, depending upon the variety.
Leaves: Compound leaves are alternate, and 4–9 ⨉ 2–4½″ (10–22 ⨉ 6–12 cm). Each compound leaf is odd pinnate, comprised of 9-15 flat medium green leaflets that are serrate, and oblong-lanceolate. Each leaflet is up to ¾–2½″ (2–6.5 cm) long. Leaf undersides have long, bent, soft fine hairs. Leaves turn yellow to reddish-purple in fall.
Flowers: Dense clusters of tiny white flowers, with five petals. May.
Fruits: Dense clusters of bright orange berries, about 40 to a cluster, are showy and popular with birds. Cultivars are available with pink, yellow, and red fruits. Seeds are light brown, and ⅛ ⨉ 1/32″ (3 ⨉ 1.5 mm) in size.
Habitats: Woodland clearings and scrub around and above treeline.
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Two mountain ashes. |
Online References:
Pyrus aucuparia (L.) Gaertn.
Sorbus aucuparia L. var. xanthocarpa Hartwig & Rümpler
Sorbus aucuparia L. var. xanthocarpa Hartwig & Rümpler
6/4/2021 · Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 10 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
A cultivar? · 9/2/2007 · Government Camp, Oregon 
5/18/2012 · Mine Falls Park, Nashua, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
5/18/2012 · Mine Falls Park, Nashua, New Hampshire · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) 
6/4/2021 · Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (15 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain 
Mountain-ash sawfly larvae (Pristiphora geniculata) commonly prey on these trees. · 6/26/2005 · Falmouth, Maine 
A cultivar? · 9/2/2007 · Government Camp, Oregon 
6/4/2021 · Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Rosidae | Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more |
| Order | Rosales | Rose family and eight others |
| Family | Rosaceae | Includes apples, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, almonds, roses, meadowsweets, photinias, firethorns, rowans, and hawthorns; many others |
| Genus | Sorbus | Ancient Latin name for this genus |
| Species | aucuparia | From the Latin aucupor, “to go bird-catching,” from auceps or aviceps, a “bird-catcher,” in turn from avis, “bird,” and capere, “to catch” |
Sorbus aucuparia description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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