Sorbus decora
| Sorbus decora | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 33' |
| Width: | 26' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Sorbus decora (common name: showy mountain ash)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1][2]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[1][2]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[3], so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two[4], but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position[4]. Dislikes dry soils[5]. Tolerates light shade[5], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. This species is able to grow in poor soils and to become established on exposed broken ground[6].
Plants are susceptible to fireblight[5].
Closely related to S. americana[4].
Range: North-eastern N. America - Labrador and Newfoundland to Quebec, south to Iowa and Maine.
Habitat: Woods, rocky slopes and shores[7]. Found in various soils and conditions[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked in preserves etc[8]. The taste is best after a frost[9]. The fruits are about 7 - 10mm across and are borne in dense clusters[10].
Medicinal: A decoction of the inner bark, taken from the stem base, has been used as a wash and poultice in the treatment of rheumatism[11]. The decoction can also be taken internally in the treatment of a backache[11].
A decoction of the peeled stems has been drunk in the treatment of backaches[11].
Usage: This species is capable of growing in exposed conditions in poor soils[6], and so could be used in re-afforestation as a pioneer plant to provide suitable conditions for other woodland trees to be established[K].
Wood - close-grained, soft, moderately light with little strength, it is of no commercial value[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seeds probably contain hydrogen cyanide. This is the ingredient that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. Unless the seed is very bitter it should be perfectly safe in reasonable quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences, 1978.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.