Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Greene's Mountain Ash
Sorbus scopulina
Rose family (Rosaceae)

Greene's Mountain Ash is widespread across western North America. Its yellow-orange-red fall foliage and orange-red add a splash of color to the surrounding forest. The are eaten by many species of wildlife including Cedar Waxwings. The are edible raw, cooked or dried, if harvested after numerous frosts removes the bitterness. The European Mountain Ash (S. aucuparia) is commonly planted as an ornamental in gardens and along streets. Linnaeus named this in 1753. "Sorbus" is an ancient Latin name and "scopulina" means "of rocky places."


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Description

small tree, to 12' tall, often thicket forming . Leaves are large, and divided into 11-17 elliptical, finely . Small, cream-colored flowers with 5 broad petals are borne in , flat-topped clusters. Flowers mature by late summer or early fall into a cluster of glossy, bright orange or scarlet , which usually persist into the winter.

Field Marks

Large, compound leaves, flat-topped cluster of cream flowers, rounded clusters of orange .

© Al Schneider

serrate -- toothed with asymmetrical teeth pointing forward; like the cutting edge of a saw.

terminal -- Located at the end (the tip or the apex).

pome -- a type of fruit such as an apple, pear and quince.

Deciduous plants are those that lose all of their leaves for part of the year.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

pinnate -- A compound leaf with two rows of leaflets.

The botanical term "berry" is different from common usage. Strawberries and raspberries are not berries. But a tomatoe is. A true berry is a fruit with the seeds immersed in the pulp.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

alternate -- leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.

leaflets -- Each little leaf-like thing in a compound leaf is a leaflet.