Whitebeam, Chess apple
Sorbus aria

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 15-25 m tall and spreading 9-12 m wide. The leaves are alternate. They have 9-12 pairs of parallel veins. There are irregular teeth around the edge. They are silver when young. These become bright green with silver hairs remaining underneath. The leaves eventually turn gold then brown. The flowers are white. They are 1 cm across. The fruit are berries produced in clusters. They are 1.2 cm across. They are green but turn crimson.

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Europe. It grows from the lowlands to mountains. It is frost hardy. It often grows in lime rich soils. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Europe, Falklands, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Norway, San Marino, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit are ground into a meal which is used to add to bread flour. They are also used to make jelly for eating with meat. After bletting after being very ripe it can be eaten. They are naturally fermented on straw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alier, Alize, Karusniak, Mehlbeerbaum, Mostaja, Mukinja, Mukinya, Skorucha, Skorusa

Synonyms

Pyrus aria Ehrh.; Mespilus aria Scop.;