Practical
Plants

Sorbus intermedia

Swedish Whitebeam

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Sorbus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
12 m
Spread
12 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Apomictic
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Apomictic

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.

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

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[4][6]. A mild, though slightly bitter flavour with a mealy texture[K]. The fruit is up to 13mm across[5] and is produced in quite large clusters, making harvesting easier[K].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

Resistant to maritime exposure, this tree can be used as a part of a shelterbelt planting[7][5]. If regularly trimmed it can be used as a dense deciduous hedge[5].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Europe. Freely naturalized in some areas of Britain[2]. Possibly of hybrid origin.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, 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
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[8][9]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[8][9]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[10], 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[1], 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 well-drained soils in an open sunny position[1]. Tolerates very acid or alkaline soils[5] and light shade[3], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. Suitable for very exposed sites, including maritime exposure[7][5]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[1][5]. Resistant to fireblight[1]. The trees usually have apomictic flowers. They thus produce seed asexually, each seedling being a clone of the parent[1]. The fruits are very attractive to birds[1].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  5. 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

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

    ↩

  7. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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