Would you be able to tell me what these trees are, seen along the roadside in Delta, BC. Thank you so much. Peggy
Two black hawthorns and a Pacific red elder. Superficially quite similar Crataegus douglasii and C. suksdorfii both occur here, are told apart by how many anthers are carried within the flowers and how serious their thorns are. Such morphological distinctions may seem comparatively trivial but the two species have different DNA.
Thank you so much. I now see that the leaves are similar on the first 2 photos so must be the black hawthorns, even though the berries are a different colour. Are they the same species? The last one with the big clump of red berries must be the Pacific red elder. Thanks again Peggy
It depends. Hawthorn expert J.B. Phipps has black hawthorns chopped up into multiple additional species in his 2003 book Hawthorns and Medlars, I do have to wonder if these are all solid. A technical treatment was supposed to follow, after which any other botanists who might care to would hash these over, accept or reject them.
I have one more tree with red berries, also seen along the roadside in Delta. I think it is different than the others. do you know what this one is? Thanks Peggy
Thanks everyone, for your help. It is much appreciated. I am a nosy parker and want to know these things. Peggy
When used for Sorbus the "ash" is presented in combination with "mountain". Ash. Mountain ash. Mountain ash is also of course used for unrelated tree(s). Clarification, when required is achieved by using botanical names or other indicators.
'Scuse me, but if one looks up "Mountain Ash", one will find the correct classification of Sorbus aucuparia. Just one of those annoying inaccurate popular misnomers. Did I say Fraxinus? Hmm. Don't think so.
If it is annoying and inaccurate, then don't promote it. Let it vanish into the mists of historical obscurity. Join educated modernity and call it a rowan.
I humbly thank thee for thy ukase, o sage* and authoritative one. Allow me to retreat from the presence, head bowed, forelock firmly tugged. *or, perhaps, Salvia?
Common mountain ash. European mountain ash. Rowan. Roan. Witchen tree. Witchwood. Fowler's service-tree. Quickbeam. Quicken. Not seeing much likelihood of - or any serious need for - the Eurocentric "rowan' becoming prevalent here. The non-botanical are not aware of "unique" common names and the botanical already have botanical (scientific) names to use for precision.
This is interesting. I can see that identification can be more complex than I realized. Thanks everyone. Peggy
It is a European tree. What right does the USA have to dictate to us what our native species should be called? Can't you show the decency of some respect for our right to name our own native plants?
Guys, guys! Make it simple about Sorbus - call it "ryabina". There are several Russian songs that use this lovely tree as a symbol of unhappy love. :))
Michael you can and should call it as you like. All we're asking is the right to do the same on this side of the pond. Why's that a problem?
