Identifying Rowans

You know it's a rowan because: the alternate leaves are pinnate; the flowers and fruit are in large heads.

Not to be confused with: Elder which has opposite leaves and black berries.

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Rowans are best distinguished when in fruit.

Rowans with red berries include the native Common Rowan (Mountain Ash) with hairy purplish buds, Japanese Rowan with somewhat sticky reddish pointed buds, and rarer species such as Sargent's Rowan (S.sargentiana) with very long leaflets.

Rowans with white berries include Hubei Rowan with rather rounded, bluish leaves and small berries and Kashmir Rowan with large, Snowberry-like fruit. The fruit of Vilmorin's Rowan starts purple but ripens pink-flushed white.

Joseph Rock's Rowan has uniquely primrose-coloured berries.

Common Rowan may also have orange fruit.

 
 

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Copyright © 2007 Philip Brassett