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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Sorbus scopulina

Sorbus scopulina Greene

Greene's Mountain Ash, Cascade Mountain-ash, Western Mountain-ash

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: sosc2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Cascade mountain-ash is a shrub or shrub-like tree with several erect stems usually 3-12 ft. Bark is reddish. Deciduous leaves are pinnately compound with 11-15 shiny, oblong leaflets. Small, white flowers occur in large terminal clusters and are followed by persistent, red-orange berries. A shrub forming dense clumps, or rarely a small tree, with many small white flowers and small, applelike fruit.

This shrubby species takes the form of a small tree in southeastern Alaska. The common name honors Edward Lee Greene (1843-1915), the United States botanist who prepared the description. Birds and mammals eat the fruit.

From the Image Gallery

15 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Pome
Size Notes: Up to about 25 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , MT , ND , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: W. Alt. to AK, s. to NM, UT & Tulare Co., CA; also Black Hills
Native Habitat: Canyons; wooded slopes; stream banks; 4000-9000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rich soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Grouse, cedar waxwings, and grosbeaks consume the berries.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACU	FACU			FACU				FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Sorbus scopulina in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Sorbus scopulina in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sorbus scopulina

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-11
Research By: TWC Staff

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