mountain ash

mountain ash name for any species of the genus Sorbus of the family Rosaceae ( rose family), hardy ornamental trees and shrubs native to the Northern Hemisphere, not related to the true ashes. They are deciduous and bear flat-topped clusters of white flowers followed by orange or brilliant red berrylike fruits, for which they are widely cultivated as ornamentals. The astringent pome fruits are often used in domestic remedies. Of native kinds, the most common is the American mountain ash ( S. americana ), ranging from Newfoundland to North Carolina. Introduced species are often cultivated, especially the common European mountain ash or rowan tree ( S. aucuparia ). This tree is one of the most revered plants in the folklore of the Old World. It warded off evil influences and was "Thor's helper" ; bits of the wood were thought to avert almost any disaster. Mountain ash is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.

moun·tain ash • n. 1. a small deciduous tree (genus Sorbus) of the rose family, with compound leaves, white flowers, and red berries. Also called rowan. 2. Austral. a eucalyptus tree that is widely used for timber.

ash Group of mainly deciduous trees of the genus Fraxinus growing in temperate regions, usually having leaves made up of many small leaflets, and winged fruits. The wood is elastic, strong and shock-resistant, and is widely used for furniture. Species include manna ash, F. ornus, the flowering ash of s Europe and Asia Minor; the European ash, F. excelsior, which grows to 45m (148ft) tall; and F. floribunda, a native of the Himalayas. Family Oleaceae. The mountain ash of Europe and Asia (Sorbus aucuparia) comes from a different family.