Friday 2 November 2012

Sorbus aucuparia ; Rowan/Mountain Ash


They grow up to 20 metres tall. They grow in woodlands and open spaces on a variety of soils but not on very wet ones. I found this ash in All Saints Park. They are often found in town squares and along roadsides. 


 The branches are quite evenly spread and ascending. They also have purple-tinged twigs. 



The leaves are compound and pinnate. They are made up of 5-8 pairs of toothed leaflets. They are all up to 6cm long. They are ovoid and markedly toothed. 


The buds are oval with curved tips. They are purple and covered with greyish hairs. The fruits are rounded and cm long and a bright scarlet colour. They are often eaten in winter by birds as not a lot of food is around. When they are planted in cities and towns they often attract birds such as waxwings.


Silvery grey and usually smooth but sometimes feels slightly ridged.



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