Sorbus decora

(Sarg.) Schneid.

Showny mountain ash

RosaceaeFruitSome parts mildly toxic — see hazards
Caution — Parts of this plant may be toxic or require specific preparation. Verify with multiple sources before consuming.
Sorbus decora
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) JR P, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Sorbus decora
iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Sarah Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sarah Johnson
Sorbus decora
iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Sarah Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sarah Johnson

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked in preserves, and the flavour is best after a frost. The fruits measure 7–10mm across and are borne in dense clusters.

Known Hazards

None mentioned.

Where to Find It

It is a cool temperate plant. It is hardy to hardiness zone 2.

Canada, North America, Slovenia, USA,

Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, St Vincent

How to Identify

A tree that loses its leaves. It grows 10 m tall. The fruit can be 1 cm across. They are produced in dense clusters. They are orange-red.

How to Grow

Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Where seed is plentiful, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed. Stored seed benefits from 2 weeks of warm stratification followed by 14–16 weeks of cold stratification, so sow as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle. Top-growth is very slow in the first year or two as the plant focuses on root development. Keep seedlings in pots in a cold frame through their first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring.

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the inner bark, taken from the base of the stem, has been used as both a wash and a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism, and can be taken internally to treat backache. A decoction of the peeled stems has also been drunk for backache relief.

Other Uses

This species tolerates exposed conditions and poor soils, making it suitable as a pioneer plant in re-afforestation schemes where it can establish conditions favourable for other woodland trees. The wood is close-grained, soft, and moderately light with little strength, and holds no commercial value.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Sorbus decora, commonly known as the northern mountain ash, showy mountain-ash, Greenland mountain-ash, and dogberry, is a species of deciduous shrub or very small tree native to northeastern North America.

Notes

They have health benefits.

References (3)
  • Harris, C.S. et al, 2014, Investigating Wild Berries as a Dietary Approach to Reducing the Formation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts: Chemical Correlates of In Vitro Antiglycation Activity. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 69:71–77
  • http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
  • Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 829

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