Sorbus pohuashanensis

(Hance) Hedllund

Beijing mountain ash, Service tree relative

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 77 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A deciduous tree reaching 10 m tall and 8 m wide, growing at a fast rate. Hardy to UK zone 5. Flowers in May with seeds ripening September to October. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated, self-fertile. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to mildly alkaline conditions. Thrives in semi-shade to full sun and prefers moist soil. Withstands strong winds but not coastal exposure.

Description

A tree. It grows 8-21 m high and spreads 6 m wide. The crown is rounded. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are felt like underneath. The flowers are cream and in woolly clusters. The fruit are orange to red. They are 6-8 mm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though it has a rather bitter flavour. Each fruit measures 6–8mm in diameter and is borne in fairly large bunches that make harvesting easier.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are used for making jam. They are also used for wine.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to the mountains of northern China. It grows between 900-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China*, Korea,

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.

Synonyms

Sorbus conradinae

References (7)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 940
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 971
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1357
Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 9
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 463

Show all 7 references

Kongl. Svenska Vetenskapsakad. Handl. 35:33. 1901
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/