Sorbus americana
American Mountain Ash
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
The seeds probably contain hydrogen cyanide. This is the ingredient that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. Unless the seed is very bitter it should be perfectly safe in reasonable quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[14][1]. Rich in iron and vitamin C[6][8]. The fruit is used mainly in making pies, preserves etc, but it can also be eaten raw after a frost because it turns sweeter then[1][3]. The fruit has a high tannin content and so should only be used in moderation if eaten raw[8]. It can also be dried and ground into a meal[8]. The fruit is produced in dense clusters and is up to 8mm in diameter[5].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The inner bark has astringent and antiseptic properties[6]. It is also used as a blood purifier and appetite stimulant[11]. An infusion is used (sometimes with the terminal buds added) in the treatment of colds, debility, diarrhoea etc[7][11]. When mixed with sweet flag (Acorus calamus) it is used as a tonic[11]. A poultice of the burnt bark has been used in the treatment of boils[11]. The fruit is antiscorbutic, diuretic, mildly laxative, astringent and digestive[8][11]. It is an ideal accompaniment for foods that are hard to digest[8]. A tea from the berries is antiscorbutic and astringent[6][7]. It has been used as a rectal wash for piles[6]. It is also used in homeopathic remedies[13][17].
- Product or use
- Antiscorbutic
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Appetizer
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Blood purifier
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Miscellany
Material uses
Wood - soft, light, close grained, with little strength[17][9][10]. It weighs about 34lb per cubic foot[10] and is of no commercial value[9].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to N. Carolina, west to Illinois and Manitoba.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 2+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[15][16]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[15][16]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[18], so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two[2], but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.
Cultivation
Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position[2]. Tolerates partial shade[4], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. Dislikes dry soils[4]. Able to succeed in poor soils and to become established on exposed open ground[9]. A slow-growing and relatively short-lived tree in the wild[9], it fruits freely in Britain[2]. Plants are susceptible to fireblight[4].
References
Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.