Practical
Plants

Sorbus aucuparia

Mountain Ash · Rowan

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Sorbus genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Sorbus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
15 m
Spread
7 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Large quantities of the raw fruit can cause vomiting, especially if people are not used to the fruit. 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[10][14][16][19][23]. The fruit is very acid and large quantities of the raw fruit can cause stomach upsets[1][4]. It can be used to make delicious, if slightly acidulous, jams and preserves[19], the fruit can also be dried and used as a flour mixed with cereals[10][18]. The fruit is about 7.5mm in diameter[11] and is produced in quite large bunches making harvest easy[K]. The leaves and flowers are used as a tea substitute[17][7]. Young leaves are said to be a famine food but they contain a cyanogenic glycoside so you should be very hungry before even thinking of eating them[6]. A coffee substitute[7]. The report was referring to the fruit, it probably means the roasted seed.

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw, Cooked, Boiled, Ground
Product or use
Fruit, Jam, Preserve, Jelly, Flour
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is astringent, it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and as a vaginal injection for leucorrhoea etc[15]. The fruit is antiscorbutic and astringent[15][19]. It is normally used as a jam or an infusion to treat diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[13]. An infusion can also be used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash to treat haemorrhoids and excessive vaginal discharge[13]. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which, in reaction with water, produce the extremely toxic prussic acid[13]. In small quantities this acts as a stimulant to the respiratory system but in larger doses can cause respiratory failure and death[K]. It is therefore best to remove the seeds when using the fruit medicinally or as a food[13]. Both the flowers and the fruit are aperient, mildly diuretic, laxative and emmenagogue[23][4][12]. An infusion is used in the treatment of painful menstruation, constipation and kidney disorders[23].

Product or use
Antiscorbutic
Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Laxative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An oil is obtained from the seed[4]. A cosmetic face-mask is made from the fruits and is used to combat wrinkled skin[19]. A black dye is obtained from the young branches[20]. All parts of the plant contain tannin and can be used as a black dye[15]. Trees are very wind resistant and can be used in shelterbelt plantings[2][11]. Wood - hard, fine grained, compact and elastic. It is highly recommended by wood turners and is also used to make hoops for barrels, cogs and furniture[19][4][17][20][3].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, south and east from Iceland to Spain, Macedonia and the Caucasus.
Habitat
Woods, scrub and mountain rocks, mainly on lighter soil, rare or absent on clays or soft limestones. It is found at higher elevations than any other native tree[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
False
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[21][22]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[21][22]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[24], 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade[8], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. Prefers a cool moist position and a lighter neutral to slightly acid soil[2][4][11]. Dislikes shallow soils or drought[2][11]. Succeeds on chalk or acid peats[24][8]. A very wind firm tree tolerating very exposed and maritime positions[8][11]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[11]. Some named varieties have been developed for their improved fruits which are larger and sweeter than the type[7]. Plants, and especially young seedlings, are quite fast growing[8]. The fruit is very attractive to birds. 28 species of insects are associated with this tree[8]. Responds well to coppicing[8]. Plants are susceptible to fireblight[9].

References

  1. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  6. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

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  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  18. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

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  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  20. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  21. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  22. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  23. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩1↩2

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