Fauna
Plant

European Mountain Ash

Sorbus aucuparia

Also 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
European Mountain Ash reference1 / 7
(c) Hans Kylberg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, 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
Classification
  1. OrderRosales
  2. FamilyRosaceae
  3. GenusSorbus
  4. SpeciesSorbus aucuparia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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