Sorbus scopulina, also known as Greene's mountain-ash, is a North American species of rowan within the rose family. Although it may resemble poisonous species of baneberries, its own fruits are edible.
Description
It is a shrub or small tree growing up to 5 metres (16 feet) tall. Its pinnate leaves have 9–13 leaflets.[2] The flowers have five white-to-cream petals, each a few centimetres in length. The fruit is an orange-to-red pome about 1.5 cm (1⁄2 inch) across.[2] The plant can be confused with poisonous baneberries,[3] particularly the red baneberry.[4]
Taxonomy
The common name of the species honors American botanist Edward Lee Greene.[5] Throughout the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Northwest portions of its habitat, it is commonly called Cascade mountain-ash, sometimes listed as Sorbus scopulina var. cascadensis.[6]
Distribution and habitat
It is native to western North America, primarily in the Rocky Mountains.[1] Various birds and mammals, including bears, consume the fruit.[7]
Uses
Despite their resemblance to poisonous baneberries,[3] the edible fruits[2] were used by Native Americans and early settlers, being cooked and made into jelly. They taste bitter when fresh, and are better when they redden.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b McAllister, H.A. 2005. The genus Sorbus: Mountain Ash and other Rowans . Kew Publishing.
- ^ a b c Turner, Mark; Kuhlmann, Ellen (2014). Trees & Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest (1st ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 406. ISBN 978-1-60469-263-1.
- ^ a b Reiner, Ralph E. (1969). Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies. Glacier Park, Inc. p. 42.
- ^ Reiner, Ralph E. (1969). Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies. Glacier Park, Inc. p. 116.
- ^ Petrides, George A. and Olivia 1998. "Western Trees". Houghton Mifflin Company.
- ^ USDA PLANTS Database
- ^ Whitney, Stephen (1985). Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides). New York: Knopf. p. 399. ISBN 0-394-73127-1.
External links
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