Short Description
Rowan is a deciduous tree or shrub that can grow up to 16 m tall. The crown is rounded and sparse.
The leaves grow alternately on the stem. Each leaf is made up from individual smaller leaflets (pinnate, feather-like appearance). The leaves are elongated with sharply serrated margins. The underside is greyish-green and covered in downy hairs.
The bark is generally greyish, smooth and shiny.
The flowers are yellowish-white in colour. They are clustered in large, umbrella-shaped flower heads. Their scent can be perceived as unpleasant.
The fruits are red, spherical and clustered in thick bunches.
Features
Rowan
Sorbus aucuparia
bright red berries
pinnate (feather-like) leaves
In the city
The rowan is often found in gardens and backyards. It is a popular ornamental tree, as its bright red fruits and dark branches make it stand out even in winter. The rowan prefers light to semi-shady locations.
Fun Facts
It flowers from May to June.
The fruit ripening season is from July to October.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
The fruits are edible. However, they have an astringent sour and slightly bitter taste.
Sources
Blatt, Alice Kracht, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://offene-naturfuehrer.de/web/Datei:Sorbus_aucuparia2_(1).JPG
Habitus, Botaurus, PD, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sorbus-aucuparia-bei-Gatschow-27-07-2008-094.jpg
Fruchtstand, Simon A. Eugster, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sorbus_aucuparia_with_fruits.jpg
Aas, G. & Riedmiller, A. (2002) Laubbäume. Bestimmen – Kennenlernen – Schützen, Bindlach: Gondrom Verlag.
Amann, G. & Richter, P. (1962) Bäume und Sträucher des Waldes, Melsungen: Verlag J. Neumann – Neudamm.
Quartier, A. (1989) Bäume und Sträucher, München: BLV.
Page „Vogelbeere“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 31.05.2016, 20:42 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vogelbeere&oldid=154878319 (Accessed: 03.06.2016).