Japanese rowan
Sorbus commixta

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 10 m tall. It is a broad cone shape. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 20 cm long and have up to 15 leaflets. These taper to a point. They are 7.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The leaflets have teeth along the edge. They are glossy above and blue-green underneath. They turn yellow to red or purple in autumn. The flowers are 8 mm across and white. They are in large clusters 15 cm across. The fruit are rounded and orange-red. They are 8 mm across.

There are about 75 Sorbus species. See Sorbus ulleungensis - now separate from Sorbus commixta.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Japan and Korea. It grows in mountain forests. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, North America

How it is used for food

The leaves are fried and eaten and also cooked with mixed vegetables. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Magamok

Synonyms

Sorbus amurensis var. rufa Nakai;