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Sorbus decora - (Sarg.)Schneid.

Common Name Showy Mountain Ash
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The seeds probably contain hydrogen cyanide. This is the ingredient that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. Unless the seed is very bitter it should be perfectly safe in reasonable quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Habitats Woods, rocky slopes and shores[43]. Found in various soils and conditions[229].
Range North-eastern N. America - Labrador and Newfoundland to Quebec, south to Iowa and Maine.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Sorbus decora Showy Mountain Ash


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hedwig_Storch
Sorbus decora Showy Mountain Ash
P. Freeman Heim @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Sorbus decora is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 8 m (26ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked in preserves etc[183]. The taste is best after a frost[101]. The fruits are about 7 - 10mm across and are borne in dense clusters[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Antirheumatic

A decoction of the inner bark, taken from the stem base, has been used as a wash and poultice in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The decoction can also be taken internally in the treatment of a backache[257]. A decoction of the peeled stems has been drunk in the treatment of backaches[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Pioneer  Wood

This species is capable of growing in exposed conditions in poor soils[229], and so could be used in re-afforestation as a pioneer plant to provide suitable conditions for other woodland trees to be established[K]. Wood - close-grained, soft, moderately light with little strength, it is of no commercial value[229].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position[11]. Dislikes dry soils[188]. Tolerates light shade[188], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. This species is able to grow in poor soils and to become established on exposed broken ground[229]. Plants are susceptible to fireblight[188]. Closely related to S. americana[11]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a standard with a non-suckering single trunk [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78, 80]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[78, 80]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[98], so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two[11], but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Greenland (south), Canada, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, United States, Indiana (north), Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania (north), Vermont, Minnesota,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Amelasorbus jackiiJack's amelasorbusShrub2.0 3-7  LMHSNM20 
Sorbus alnifoliaKorean Mountain AshTree15.0 4-7 FLMHSNM102
Sorbus americanaAmerican Mountain AshTree10.0 2-6 SLMHSNM122
Sorbus ariaWhitebeam, Chess-appleTree12.0 4-8  LMHSNM314
Sorbus aucupariaMountain Ash, European mountain ashTree15.0 3-6 MLMHSNM223
Sorbus austriaca Tree10.0 5-9  LMHSNM20 
Sorbus commixta Tree10.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Sorbus devoniensisDevon WhitebeamTree13.0 6-9 MLMHSNM302
Sorbus domesticaService TreeTree15.0 6-10 MLMHSNM502
Sorbus gracilis Shrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Sorbus hybridaSwedish Service Tree, Oakleaf mountain ashTree9.0 4-8  LMHSNM10 
Sorbus intermediaSwedish WhitebeamTree12.0 4-8 MLMHSNM203
Sorbus japonica Tree20.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Sorbus lanata Tree10.0 4-8 MLMHSNM302
Sorbus latifoliaFrench HalesTree14.0 4-8 MLMHSNM40 
Sorbus mougeotii Tree18.0 5-9 MLMHSNM40 
Sorbus pohuashanensis Tree10.0 4-8 FLMHSNM10 
Sorbus sambucifoliaSiberian mountain ashShrub0.0 5-9  LMHSNM20 
Sorbus scopulinaWestern Mountain Ash, Greene's mountain ash, Cascade mountain ashShrub4.0 4-8  LMHSNM211
Sorbus sitchensisSitka Mountain Ash, Western mountain ashShrub1.8 4-8 SLMHSNM112
Sorbus species Tree10.0 6-9  LMHSNM20 
Sorbus thibeticaTibetan whitebeamTree20.0 5-9  LMHSNM300
Sorbus torminalisWild Service Tree, CheckertreeTree20.0 5-9 MLMHSNM402
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Sarg.)Schneid.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

James   Tue May 8 2007

It is a usful page I am very interested in Sorbus decora(showy mountain ash). Do who know where to buy the seeds of it? Thanks a lot!

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