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Welsh Whitebeam

Sorbus cambrensis

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, Devon Whitebeam, 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, 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:
20 metres tall
Habitats:
Roadsides, rocky places, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Clusters of white flowers. The flowers have pink anthers.
Fruit:
Red berries.
Leaves:
Broadly ovate leaves with both short and long teeth along the margins. The leaves are white on the undersides.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Sorbus cambrensis, also known as the Welsh Whitebeam, is a species of whitebeam tree that is native to Wales, UK. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, growing up to 20 meters in height. The leaves are oval in shape and have a glossy green upper surface and a pale underside. The tree produces clusters of white flowers in the spring, followed by small red berries in the fall. It is considered a rare species and is protected under UK law. It is typically found in ancient woodlands and rocky areas, particularly in the upland regions of Wales.

Blog

Welsh Whitebeam: A Unique and Endangered Species of Tree

The Welsh whitebeam (Sorbus cambrensis) is a deciduous tree native to Wales. It is known for its distinctive white flowers that bloom in the spring, as well as its bright red fruit that appears in the autumn. This species of tree is one of the few that is native to Wales and is an important part of the country's natural heritage.

The Welsh whitebeam is a relatively small tree, growing up to 20 meters in height. Its leaves are lobed and the tree produces clusters of white flowers in the spring. The fruit of the tree is a bright red berry that is attractive to birds and other wildlife. The tree's leaves turn a brilliant yellow in the autumn, making it an attractive addition to any garden.

Despite its beauty and unique characteristics, the Welsh whitebeam is an endangered species. It is estimated that there are only a few thousand individuals left in the wild, with much of its natural habitat having been destroyed due to deforestation and development. The species is also threatened by disease, with some populations suffering from a fungal disease that has devastated large areas of the tree's population.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Welsh whitebeam and its habitat. These efforts include the planting of new trees, the preservation of existing populations, and the monitoring of disease outbreaks. There are also plans to propagate the species in order to increase its numbers and protect it from extinction.

The Welsh whitebeam is a unique and important species of tree that is worth preserving. Its beauty and significance to Welsh culture make it an important part of the country's natural heritage. Conservation efforts are underway to ensure the survival of this endangered species and ensure that future generations can enjoy its beauty and significance.

Another aspect that makes the Welsh whitebeam special is its genetic diversity. Unlike many other species of trees, the Welsh whitebeam has a large number of distinct genetic populations, each with its own unique characteristics. This genetic diversity is important because it provides a natural defense against diseases and environmental changes, allowing the species to adapt and survive over time.

The Welsh whitebeam is also a valuable source of food and medicine for humans. The tree's fruit can be used to make jams, syrups, and other food items, while its bark and leaves have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In traditional Welsh medicine, the bark of the Welsh whitebeam was used to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions and digestive problems.

Unfortunately, despite its many benefits, the Welsh whitebeam is still not widely known or appreciated outside of Wales. There is a need for greater awareness of this species, its unique characteristics, and the importance of preserving it for future generations. One way to do this is through education and outreach programs that highlight the tree's significance and encourage people to appreciate and protect it.

The Welsh whitebeam is a unique and endangered species of tree that is of great importance to the natural heritage of Wales. Its genetic diversity, beauty, and cultural significance make it worth protecting and preserving for future generations. By raising awareness of this species and taking action to protect it, we can help ensure that the Welsh whitebeam continues to thrive and be appreciated for many years to come.

Another important aspect of the Welsh whitebeam is its role in the ecosystem. As a native species, it provides vital habitat and food for a wide range of wildlife, including birds, insects, and mammals. The tree's fruit, for example, is an important food source for many bird species, providing vital nourishment during the winter months.

In addition, the Welsh whitebeam also plays a role in soil stability and water conservation. Its roots help to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion, while its leaves and branches help to regulate water flow in the ecosystem. This is especially important in areas where deforestation and development have led to increased soil erosion and reduced water retention.

One way to help protect the Welsh whitebeam and its habitat is through the creation of protected areas, such as nature reserves and national parks. These areas provide a safe haven for the tree and other native species, and can help to ensure that their populations remain healthy and stable.

Finally, it's worth noting that the Welsh whitebeam is a popular choice for ornamental planting in gardens and parks. By planting this species in your own garden, you can help to raise awareness of its unique characteristics and contribute to its conservation. Whether you're a nature lover, a gardener, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and significance of native species, the Welsh whitebeam is a tree worth learning more about and protecting.

In conclusion, the Welsh whitebeam is a remarkable species that deserves our attention and protection. With its unique characteristics, cultural significance, and role in the ecosystem, it is a valuable part of the natural heritage of Wales that we must work to preserve. By raising awareness of this species, supporting conservation efforts, and planting Welsh whitebeams in our own gardens, we can help ensure its survival for generations to come.