Sorbus commixta

Taxobox
name = "Sorbus commixta"

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image_caption = Cultivated Specimen
Morton Arboretum acc. 28-94-3
image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Rosales
familia = Rosaceae
subfamilia = Maloideae
genus = "Sorbus"
subgenus = "Sorbus"
species = "S. commixta"
binomial = "Sorbus commixta"
binomial_authority = Hedl.

"Sorbus commixta" (Japanese Rowan; Japanese: ナナカマド　or ナナカマド（七竈）) is a species of rowan native to Japan, the far east of Russia on Sakhalin, and in Korea on the island of Ulleungdo.Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?35013 "Sorbus commixta"] .] Okayama University of Science: [http://had0.big.ous.ac.jp/plantsdic/angiospermae/dicotyledoneae/choripetalae/rosaceae/nanakamado/nanakamado.htm "Sorbus commixta"] (in Japanese; [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://had0.big.ous.ac.jp/plantsdic/angiospermae/dicotyledoneae/choripetalae/rosaceae/nanakamado/nanakamado.htm&sa=X&oi=translate& google translation] )] Rushforth, K. (1999). "Trees of Britain and Europe". Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.]

It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 7–10 m (rarely to 18 m) tall with a rounded crown and brownish to silvery-grey bark. The leaves are 20–30 cm long, pinnate with between 11-17 leaflets 4–7 cm long and 1–2.5 cm broad, with an acuminate apex and serrated margins; they change to a deep purple or red in autumn. The flowers are 6–10 mm diameter, with five white petals and 20 yellowish-white stamens; they are produced in corymbs 9–15 cm diameter in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a bright orange to red pome 7–8 mm diameter, maturing in autumn.Kanagawa Plants: [http://www.geocities.jp/greensv88/jumoku-zz-nanakamado.htm "Sorbus commixta"] (in Japanese; [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.geocities.jp/greensv88/jumoku-zz-nanakamado.htm&sa=X&oi=translate& google translation] )]

Plants from Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin are sometimes distinguished as "Sorbus commixta" var. "sachalinensis", with larger leaflets up to 9 cm long.

Cultivation and uses

Outside of its native range, it is grown as an ornamental tree in Europe and North America, hardy in zones 5-9. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil, in full sun. A number of cultivars have been selected, the most popular being 'Embley' (with fastigiate branching) and 'Serotina' (flowering later in early summer).

References