Sorbus thibetica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 15 m tall. It is a broad cone shape. The bark is grey-brown and is thinly scaly and cracks and flakes. The leaves are broadly oval and 15 cm long by 10 cm wide. They taper to the base and are pointed at the tip. They have sharp teeth. They are hairy at first but become smooth. They are dark green above and densely covered with white hairs underneath. There are up to 14 pairs of veins. The flowers are white. They occur in clusters up to 6 cm across. The fruit is a rounded berry. It is 1.5 cm across. It is green but turns orange or yellow as it ripens.

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It is native to SW China and the Himalayas. It grows in evergreen and deciduous mountain forest. It grows at about 2,700 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten after frost.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bo lang

Synonyms

Aria thibetica (Cardot) H. Ohashi & Iketani; Pyrus thibetica Cardot; Sorbus atrosanguinea T. T. Yu & H. T. Tsai; Sorbus wardii Merr.;