Sorbus latifolia

A deciduous tree growing to 14m tall by 10m wide at a medium rate, hardy to UK zone 5 and not frost tender. Hermaphroditic, self-fertile, and insect-pollinated; reproduces apomictically. Flowers in May; seeds ripen September to October. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage and mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil, and withstands strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Description

A deciduous tree. It grows 12 m tall. It is a broad column shape. The bark is dark grey and cracks and flakes. The leaves are broadly oval. They are 10 cm long by 10 cm wide. They have shallow pointed lobes near the base. There are sharp teeth along the edges. The leaves are dark glossy green above and grey and downy underneath. They turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are 1.5 cm across and white. They are borne in flattened heads. The fruit are rounded and yellow-brown. They are 1.2 cm across and have easy to see lenticels.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though for raw eating it is usually bletted first. Bletting involves storing the fruit in a cool, dry place until it has nearly but not quite turned rotten — at that point it develops a delicious flavour reminiscent of a luscious tropical fruit. Each fruit grows up to 1.5cm across, and they are borne in bunches that make harvesting easier.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. They are used for making jelly.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to C. and W. Europe. It grows in woods. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Europe, France, Luxembourg, Tasmania,

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, though with sufficient quantity it can go directly into 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 seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle. Top-growth is very slow in the first year or two as the plants focus on root development, so keep them in a cold frame through their first winter before planting out into permanent positions in late spring.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

References (8)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 939
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 971
• Coombes, A.J., 2000, Trees. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks. p 279
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1357
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 211

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