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Uses

Toxic parts

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, Cooked, Boiled, Ground as a Fruit, Jam, Preserve, Jelly, Flour

Seed

Leaves

Tea

Material uses

An oil is obtained from the seed[7].

A cosmetic face-mask is made from the fruits and is used to combat wrinkled skin[4]. A black dye is obtained from the young branches[13]. All parts of the plant contain tannin and can be used as a black dye[14]. Trees are very wind resistant and can be used in shelterbelt plantings[15][9].

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[4][7][11][13][16].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent, it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and as a vaginal injection for leucorrhoea etc[14].

The fruit is antiscorbutic and astringent[14][4]. It is normally used as a jam or an infusion to treat diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[17]. An infusion can also be used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash to treat haemorrhoids and excessive vaginal discharge[17]. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which, in reaction with water, produce the extremely toxic prussic acid[17]. 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[17].

Both the flowers and the fruit are aperient, mildly diuretic, laxative and emmenagogue[5][7][18]. An infusion is used in the treatment of painful menstruation, constipation and kidney disorders[5].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Windbreak

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[19][20]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[19][20]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[21], 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[15], 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[15]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade[22], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. Prefers a cool moist position and a lighter neutral to slightly acid soil[15][7][9]. Dislikes shallow soils or drought[15][9]. Succeeds on chalk or acid peats[21][22]. A very wind firm tree tolerating very exposed and maritime positions[22][9]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[9].

Some named varieties have been developed for their improved fruits which are larger and sweeter than the type[10]. Plants, and especially young seedlings, are quite fast growing[22]. The fruit is very attractive to birds. 28 species of insects are associated with this tree[22]. Responds well to coppicing[22].

Plants are susceptible to fireblight[23].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sorbus aucuparia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Sorbus aucuparia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sorbus aucuparia
Genus
Sorbus
Family
Rosaceae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    Native Environment
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    15 x 7
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Werne-12-07-08 126a.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (32202/01/01)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (32202/01/01)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (32202/01/01)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press ISBN 0-946284-51-2 (32202/01/01)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.79.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (32202/01/01)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (32202/01/01)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.515.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (32202/01/01)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.4 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (32202/01/01)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (32202/01/01)
    20. ? 20.020.1 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (32202/01/01)
    21. ? 21.021.1 Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
    22. ? 22.022.122.222.322.422.5 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (32202/01/01)
    23. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (32202/01/01)
    24. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (32202/01/01)



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    Facts about "Sorbus aucuparia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteFalse +
    Article requires citationsTrue +
    Article requires cleanupTrue +
    Belongs to familyRosaceae +
    Belongs to genusSorbus +
    Functions asWindbreak +
    Has binomial nameSorbus aucuparia +
    Has common nameMountain Ash + and Rowan +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +, Seed + and Leaves +
    Has edible useFruit +, Jam +, Preserve +, Jelly +, Flour +, Coffee + and Tea +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has imageWerne-12-07-08 126a.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCosmetic +, Dye +, Oil +, Tannin + and Wood +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has mature width7 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiscorbutic +, Aperient +, Astringent +, Diuretic + and Laxative +
    Has primary imageWerne-12-07-08 126a.jpg +
    Has search namesorbus aucuparia +, mountain ash + and rowan +
    Has seed requiring scarificationFalse +
    Has seed requiring stratificationTrue +
    Has seed with dormancy depthIntermediate +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameSorbus aucuparia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is grown fromSeed + and Suckers +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Native to environmentBoreal forest +
    Native to geographical rangeEurope + and Asia +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedYes +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates air pollutionTrue +
    Tolerates maritime exposureTrue +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilFalse +
    Tolerates windTrue +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia +, Sorbus aucuparia + and Sorbus aucuparia +