Himalayan whitebeam
Sorbus cuspidata

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to about 15 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves have short stalks. The leaves are 5-17 cm long and 2-9 cm wide. They are oval with a rather abrupt point. They have lobes and teeth around the edge. They have dense woolly hairs underneath. The flowers are yellowish and in a flat topped arrangement. The fruit are nearly round and 1.5 cm across. They are red.

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 2500-3700 m altitude. They grow in mixed forest. Garhwal Himalayas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit is enjoyed.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chryuli, Do-mis-chis, Mauli, Moli, Nepala, Nepalo, Nyaphla, Singka, Tenga

Synonyms

Crataegus cuspidata Spach; Pyrus crenata D.Don; Pyrus vestita Wall. ex Hook.f.; Sorbus crenata K.Koch;