We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Sorbus intermedia - (Ehrh.)Pursh.

Common Name Swedish Whitebeam
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
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 Not known
Range Europe. Freely naturalized in some areas of Britain[17]. Possibly of hybrid origin.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Sorbus intermedia Swedish Whitebeam


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sorbus_intermedia_oxel.jpg
Sorbus intermedia Swedish Whitebeam

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Sorbus intermedia is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. scandia. S. suecica. Crataegus aria scandia. C. aria suecica. Pyrus intermedia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3]. A mild, though slightly bitter flavour with a mealy texture[K]. The fruit is up to 13mm across[200] and is produced in quite large clusters, making harvesting easier[K].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Shelterbelt

Resistant to maritime exposure, this tree can be used as a part of a shelterbelt planting[75, 200]. If regularly trimmed it can be used as a dense deciduous hedge[200].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most reasonably good well-drained soils in an open sunny position[11]. Tolerates very acid or alkaline soils[200] and light shade[188], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. Suitable for very exposed sites, including maritime exposure[75, 200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[11, 200]. Resistant to fireblight[11]. The trees usually have apomictic flowers. They thus produce seed asexually, each seedling being a clone of the parent[11]. The fruits are very attractive to birds[11].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

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, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 decoraShowy Mountain AshTree10.0 0-0  LMHSNM112
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 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
Sorbus vestita Tree10.0 6-9  LMHSNM10 

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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(Ehrh.)Pursh.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Sorbus intermedia  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.