Plant · GBIF taxon 3012167
European mountain ash
Sorbus aucupariaAlso known as Rowan, Mountain Ash, European Rowan, Quickbeam
European mountain ash produces feather-like compound leaves and dense flat-topped clusters of creamy white spring flowers. In autumn, the tree transforms into a brilliant display of crimson foliage and heavy scarlet berries that persist well into winter. It serves as a vital cold-season food reservoir for migratory thrushes and waxwings across cold northern landscapes.
DeciduousRed BerriesFlowering Tree
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Red Deer
- Roe Deer
- Mountain Hare
ThreatsFire blight, climate warming, heavy sapling browsing by deer
HabitatsBoreal forests, temperate woodlands, rocky mountain slopes, heathlands
Life span80–120 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRosales
- FamilyRosaceae
- GenusSorbus
- SpeciesSorbus aucuparia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Raw berries cause severe stomach upset, and wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fruit based on app ID alone.
Responsible observation
- Autumn Observation: Watch for noisy flocks of waxwings and thrushes harvesting the dense fruit clusters.
- Identification Cue: Look for smooth grey bark and pinnate leaves made of 9 to 15 serrated leaflets.
- Landscape Care: Plant in well-drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun for optimal berry production.
Seed Disperser (c) Михаил Голомысов, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Михаил Голомысов · cc-by
Close Relative Julie Anne Workman / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Jan-Herm Janßen / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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