Name: |
- Sorbus, from the Latin name for Sorbus domestica,
the common European Mountain Ash or "Service Tree"
- decora, from the Latin decoratus, "decorated"
- Common Name, from its northern range and the similarity of its compound
leaves to those of the true Ash (Fraxinus spp).
- Other common names include Showy Mountain Ash, Western Mountain Ash,
Sorbier décoratif (Qué)
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Taxonomy: |
- Kingdom Plantae, the Plants
- Division Magnoliophyta, the Angiosperms (flowering plants)
- Class Magnoliopsida, the Dicotyledons
- Subclass Rosidae, the Roses
- Order Rosales, the Roses
- Family Rosaceae, the Roses; with Amelanchier
(Juneberries), Aronia (Chokeberries), Crataegus
(Hawthorns), Malus (Apples), Physocarpus
(Ninebark), Potentilla (Cinquefoils), Prunus
(Cherries & Plums), Rubus (Blackberries,
Dewberries, and Raspberries), and Spiraea (Spirea)
- Genus Sorbus, the Mountain Ash
- Taxonomic Serial Number: 25322
- Also known as Pyrus decora, Pyrus americana var. decora
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Description: |
- A native, deciduous shrub or small tree, 20'-30' tall.
- Leaves alternate, compound, with 13-17, toothed
or doubly toothed leaflets, which are only 1½" - 3"
llong, and 5/8" - 1 1/8" wide.
- Stem
- Trunk short and slender
- Branches spreading, to form a narrow, open, and
round topped crown.
- Bark thin and smooth
- Bud Scales: outer scales are sticky; inner scales
are hairy.
- Roots fibrous
- Flowers numerous in showy round or flat-topped clusters
5-15 cm diameter; individual, 5-petaled flowers, small, 6-8 mm wide;
appearing June and July.
- Fruit scarlet berries to ½" in diameter,
in loose clusters; ripening in August and September.
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Identification: |
- Identifiable as a Mountain Ash by the toothed compound leaves.
- Distinguished from the only other North Woods trees with compound
leaves, the true Ash, by the toothed leaf edges. Green Ash (Fraxinus
pennsylvanica) and Black Ash (Fraxinus
nigra) have smooth leaf edges.
- Distinguished from the very similar American Mountain Ash (Sorbus
americana) by:
- Lateral leaflets averaging less than 3 times
as long as wide, more rounded at the base, and smooth on both upper
and lower surfaces (Sorbus americana leaves are hairy on
the undersides).
- Slightly larger fruits which are orange/red rather than bright
red.
- Field Marks
- Toothed, compound leaves
- Bright orange/red berries in fall
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Distribution: |
- Manitoba to Newfoundland, south to Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
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Habitat: |
- Swampy or damp woods and borders, rocky slopes, shores.
- This is normally a northern species of the sub-climax to climax northern
coniferous forests.
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Fire: |
- Not well adapted to survive fire; it is small, has thin bark, and
occurs largely in areas that do not burn at frequent intervals.
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Associates: |
- Trees: Red Maple (Acer
rubrum)
- Shrubs: Alder (Alnus spp.), Labrador Tea
(Ledum groenlandicum), Moose
Maple (Acer spicatum)
- Birds: Berries are a preferred food source of Ruffed
Grouse, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Common Grackle
and Pine Grosbeak.
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History: |
- The Cree used a decoction of inner bark from the stem base for rheumatism
and back ache.
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Uses: |
- Although the leaves are poisonous, the fruit can be eaten by humans
and is rich in iron and Vitamin C. Berries are most often used in jellies.
- The berries are said to have a superior flavor to those of the American
Mountain Ash, with the best flavor obtained after frost.
- The fruit of both Mountain Ash species is used to make homemade wines.
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Reproduction: |
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Propagation: |
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Cultivation: |
- Hardy to USDA Zone 2 (average minimum annual temperature -50ºF)
- Cultural Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade.
- well drained fertile soil.
- Size 25'W x 20'H
- Growth rate 12 to 18 inches per year
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Links: |
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Comments: |
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Last updated on
4 March, 2006
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