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Devon Whitebeam

Sorbus devoniensis

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
15 metres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, hedgerows, parks, rocky places, seaside, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
White flowers with cream-coloured anthers. Pollinated by insects.
Fruit:
Orange-brown berries. The fruit ripens in October.
Leaves:
Broadly ovate leaves which are greyish-white with down beneath. The leaves have large teeth and are dark green above.
Other Names:
Devon Rowan, Otmast.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Sorbus devoniensis, also known as the Devon Rowan, is a species of tree in the Rosaceae family. It is native to the county of Devon in England, and is known for its small, white flowers and red berries. The tree can grow up to 15 meters tall, and is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks. It is also a good choice for wildlife gardens, as it provides food and habitat for birds and other animals.

Blog

Devon Whitebeam (Sorbus devoniensis) is a rare and beautiful tree species native to the county of Devon in England. This tree is known for its distinctive leaves that change color throughout the year, providing a visual spectacle for anyone who takes the time to observe it.

The Devon Whitebeam is a small to medium-sized tree, growing to a height of 10 to 15 meters. It has a slender trunk and a dense, rounded crown that is covered in leaves, which are oval in shape and measure between 5 and 10 centimeters in length. The tree is also known for its white, hairy undersides of its leaves, which contrast with the green upper sides to provide an eye-catching contrast.

One of the most distinctive features of the Devon Whitebeam is its changing leaves. In the spring, the leaves are a vibrant green, but as the summer progresses, they begin to take on a yellow-gold color. In the autumn, the leaves turn a fiery orange and red, making the tree a standout addition to any garden or landscape.

Aside from its attractive leaves, the Devon Whitebeam is also known for its delicate, white flowers that bloom in the spring. These flowers are followed by small, red berries that are a favorite of birds and other wildlife.

Despite its beauty, the Devon Whitebeam is an incredibly rare species. It is only found in a few scattered locations in Devon, and its total population is estimated to be less than 10,000 trees. The tree is considered endangered due to habitat loss and over-collection for ornamental purposes. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and restore the population of the Devon Whitebeam, and it is protected under UK law.

The Devon Whitebeam is a unique and beautiful tree species that is worth preserving for future generations to enjoy. Its changing leaves, delicate flowers, and rarity make it a valuable addition to any landscape or garden. If you have the opportunity to see one, take the time to appreciate its beauty and consider doing your part to help protect this magnificent species.

Despite its rarity, the Devon Whitebeam is a highly prized ornamental tree, valued for its attractive leaves, white flowers, and red berries. In gardens and landscapes, the tree is often used as a specimen plant or in mixed plantings. The tree is well-suited to a variety of growing conditions, including well-drained soils, partial shade, and a moderate climate.

The wood of the Devon Whitebeam is hard, strong, and durable, making it a valuable resource for timber production. The tree has a relatively straight grain and a light color, which makes it a popular choice for furniture and woodworking projects.

Unfortunately, the tree's popularity as an ornamental and timber species has led to over-collection, which has contributed to the decline of the species. In order to protect the Devon Whitebeam, it is important to support conservation efforts and to practice responsible harvesting and planting practices.

If you are interested in growing a Devon Whitebeam, it is important to purchase trees from reputable sources and to make sure that the trees have been propagated in a sustainable manner. The tree is also available from some specialty nurseries and garden centers, and it can be purchased as a sapling or as a mature tree.

In conclusion, the Devon Whitebeam is a unique and valuable tree species that deserves our protection and appreciation. Whether you are a gardener, landscape designer, or simply a nature lover, the Devon Whitebeam is sure to be a standout addition to your landscape. So take the time to appreciate this magnificent tree and consider doing your part to help preserve this rare and beautiful species for future generations to enjoy.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map