 | Oakleaf Mountain-Ash – Sorbus x thuringiaca Mountain-ash was used extensively by Native Americans for food & medical purposes. Fruit Trees | Tree Encyclopedia | Tree Index | |
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Oakleaf mountain-ash takes its common name from its leaf resemblance to those of the oaks (Quercus). The synonym "quercifolia' also reflects this superficial similarity. The mountain ash and related species (most often the European Mountian ash, Sorbus aucuparia) are sometimes referred to in folklore as "Rowan" trees, but this use has almost disappeared from the modern lexicon. The rowans were thought by the Celts and other primitive peoples of The British Isles to have magical properties. "Mountain ash, 1804, from rowan-tree, rountree (1548), northern English and Scottish, from a Scandinavian source (cf. O.N. reynir, Swed. Ronn "the rowan"), ultimately from the root of red, in reference to the berries. The rowan "was the tree most often credited with protective magical powers against all effects of witchcraft, not merely in Celtic areas but throughout Britain." — Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore |
Oakleaf Mountain-ash is 28 years old
American Mountain-ash was used extensively by Native Americans for various purposes (5):
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| References: 2. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Sorbus x thuringiaca (23 October 2007) 3. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Mountain-ash (23 October 2007) 5. University of Michigan, Native American Ethnobotany |
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| Family Rosaceae – Rose Family; Fruit Trees Many of these plants are of vital economic importance, the fruit of which contain vitamins, acids, and sugars and can be used both raw and for making preserves, jam, jelly, candy, wine, brandy, cider and other beverages. Tree Encyclopedia | Tree Index | Fruit Tree Index |