American Mountain-Ash (Sorbus americana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rosales>Rosaceae>Sorbus americana Marshall

The American Mountain-Ash, also known as the American Rowan tree, is an uncommon small tree or large shrub found in high elevation forests, balds, and rock outcrops in the Mountains and (very rarely) Piedmont of North Carolina.

The large pinnately compound deciduous leaves resemble those of Smooth Sumac, while the showy white flat-topped inflorescences resemble those of Common Elderberry.

Buncombe Co., NC 6/13/09.

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

Ripening pomes.

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

American Mountain-Ash is spectacular when covered with bright red ripe fruits.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

The pinnately compound leaves are alternate and have about 15 serrate-margined leaflets. The showy clusters of bright red pomes last from fall into winter.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Mountain-Ashes growing in rock outcrops tend to be shrub-sized.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

More information:
Bioimages
Borealforest.org
Natural History of the Northwoods
NC State
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology