Linda

Common Rowan 

The variety 'edulis', which means edible, is a variant of the Sorbus that naturally occurs in the forests of the mountains in the northwest of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It grows 12 to 16 meters tall and has an open crown. The white blossoms in May and bright red berries in autumn are characteristic of the common rowan. Birds, especially thrushes, love the berries and spread the seeds. The fruits of this edible variant are less bitter than those of the common rowan and can be used to make jam and liqueur. The fruits are ripe in August and September.

The flowers come in large clusters that have a musty smell. Bees, butterflies, and other insects are attracted to this scent and collect nectar from the flowers. The rowan is also a host plant, for example for the scarce tortoiseshell butterfly in the Netherlands. This species is mainly found in shrubs, but these are becoming less common in the Netherlands.

In the past, people believed that the tree offered protection against misfortune and lightning strikes. The color red was considered the best color to fight evil, which is why the bright red berries of the rowan are associated with magic and witches. In Ireland, it was planted near houses for protection, and in Wales, rowan trees were planted in cemeteries. Due to its graceful growth and beautiful autumn colors, it is now also popular as a street tree.