Sorbus scopulina
Sorbus scopulina, also known as Greene's mountain-ash, is a North American species of rowan within the rose family. Although it may resemble poisonous species of baneberries, its own fruits are edible.
Description
It is a shrub or small tree growing up to tall. Its pinnate leaves have 9–13 leaflets. The flowers have five white-to-cream petals, each a few centimetres in length. The fruit is an orange-to-red pome about across. The plant can be confused with poisonous baneberries, particularly the red baneberry.
Taxonomy
The common name of the species honors American botanist Edward Lee Greene. Throughout the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Northwest portions of its habitat, it is commonly called Cascade mountain-ash, sometimes listed as Sorbus scopulina var. cascadensis.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to western North America, primarily in the Rocky Mountains. Various birds and mammals, including bears, consume the fruit.
Uses
Despite their resemblance to poisonous baneberries, the edible fruits were used by Native Americans and early settlers, being cooked and made into jelly. They taste bitter when fresh, and are better when they redden.