Sorbus sitchensis
| Sorbus sitchensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 6' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Sorbus sitchensis (common name: sitka 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 succeed in poor soils and to become established on exposed broken ground[6], it is thus suitable for use as a pioneer species in re-establishing woodland[K].
A slow-growing shrub in the wild, it can sometimes become a small tree up to 9 metres tall[6]. It usually produces abundant crops of fruit every year[6].
Plants are susceptible to fireblight[5].
Range: Western N. America - Alaska to California, east to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Found mainly on rich moist soils along the borders of streams, or rocky hillsides, usually in association with conifers[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[7][8][9][10]. Of poor quality[11]. The fruit turns sweeter and so tastes best after a frost[12]. The fruit is produced in clusters, each fruit being about 6 - 12mm in diameter[6].
Medicinal: An infusion of the branches has been given to young children with bed-wetting problems[13].
An infusion of the root and branch bark has been drunk in the treatment of stomach problems and rheumatism[13]. The infusion can also be used externally as a bath for treating rheumatism[13]. A decoction of the root and branch bark has been used as an eyewash[13].
The bark has been chewed in the treatment of colds[13].
An infusion of the branches has been used in the treatment of weak kidneys in order to stop the frequent urination[13].
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]. It is rather slow-growing, however, and would only be used in situations where faster species were not so suitable[K].
The berries have been rubbed onto the scalp in order to get rid of lice[13].
Wood - 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 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 6.4 6.5 6.6 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples. UBC Press Vancouver, 1995.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences, 1978.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.