Sorbus aria

Sorbus aria (syn. Aria nivea), the whitebeam or common whitebeam,[2] is a deciduous tree, the type species of the subgenus Sorbus subg. Aria of the genus Sorbus. It is native to most of Europe as well as North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) and temperate Asia (Armenia, Georgia).[3] Typically compact and domed, with few upswept branches and almost-white underside of the leaves, it generally favours dry limestone and chalk soils. The hermaphrodite cream-white flowers appear in May, are insect pollinated, and go on to produce scarlet berries, which are often eaten by birds.[4]

Sorbus aria
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Sorbus
Subgenus: Sorbus subg. Aria
Species:
S. aria
Binomial name
Sorbus aria
Crantz
Distribution map
Synonyms

Aria nivea Host.

The cultivars S. aria 'Lutescens',[5] with very whitish-green early leaves, and S. aria 'Majestica',[6] with large leaves, have both have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7]

The berries are edible when overripe (bletted).[8]

  • Foliage and fruit
    Foliage and fruit

References
  1. Rivers, M.C.; Beech, E. (2017). "Sorbus aria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T62861A112294405. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T62861A112294405.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. "Sorbus aria". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  4. The Reader's Digest Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain p.86.
  5. "RHS Plant Selector - Sorbus aria 'Lutescens'". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector - Sorbus aria 'Majestica'". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 98. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  8. Mabey, Richard (2012). Food for Free. London: Collins. p. 72. ISBN 978-000-743847-1.
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