Swedish Whitebeam
Sorbus intermedia

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small compact tree. It grows to 15 m high. It loses its leaves during the winter. The crown forms a broad dome. The trunk is short. The bark is grey and cracks. It flakes off with age. The leaves are broad with shallow teeth and lobes. They are 10 cm long by 6 cm wide. The leaves are greenish above and yellowish grey-green underneath. They are hairy underneath. The leaves turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are white with pink stamens. They are 2 cm across. They are produced in dense clusters. These are 12 cm across. The fruit are long and scarlet. They are 1.5 cm long. They occur in bunches.

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to N.W. Europe. It grows in woods. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Belarus, Britain, Estonia, Europe, Norway, Scandinavia, Spain, Sweden

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for preserves. They are also eaten and also added to bread.

The fruit are foraged and eaten in restaurants in Sweden.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Leivamari, Morzal, Pooppuu, Svensk-asal

Synonyms

Pyrus intermedia Ehrh.;