Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz

A deciduous tree. It grows 15-25 m tall and spreading 9-12 m wide. The leaves are alternate. They have 9-12 pairs of parallel veins. There are irregular teeth around the edge. They are silver when young. These become bright green with silver hairs remaining underneath. The leaves eventually turn gold then brown. The flowers are white. They are 1 cm across. The fruit are berries produced in clusters. They are 1.2 cm across. They are green but turn crimson.

Woods and scrub, usually on chalk or limestone. Found mainly in openings and at the edges of limestone beech forests, most commoly in mountainous regions; at elevations up to 1,600 metres, occasionally to 2,150 metres.

The fruit are ground into a meal which is used to add to bread flour. They are also used to make jelly for eating with meat. After bletting after being very ripe it can be eaten. They are naturally fermented on straw.

Can be grown by cuttings, graftings or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.