American mountain ash, American rowan-tree, Roundwood
Sorbus americana

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub or small tree. It grows up to 8-10 m high. It has a short trunk. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are alternate and compound. The leaflets are curved and sword shaped. They taper to the tip. They are 5-8 cm long. They are thin and light green above and paler underneath. They are more narrow than showy mountain ash. (S. decora). The flowers have petals which are broadest toward the tip. They are 3-4 mm long. They are in dense flat clusters. The fruit are bright coral-red. They are 4-6 mm across. They have thin flesh.

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to E. North America. They grow on moist sites near swamps and also on dry soils on rocky hillsides. It grows up to 1830 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 2-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are bitter. They are dried and ground into a paste. After frost they become more palatable. The fruit are also used for syrups and jams.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aucuparia americana (Marshall) Nieuwl.; Pyrus americana (Marshall) DC.; Pyrus microcarpa (Pursh.) Spreng.;