Rowan

(Sorbus aucuparia)

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Rowan

The Rowan or Mountain Ash is familiar as a street tree and is also very common in upland Wales. The leaves are made up of several pairs of opposite, oval, unstalked leaflets. In autumn the trees produce large clusters of red / orange berries which are often eaten by thrushes. Rich in Vitamin C, they're bitter to the taste, but can be made into preparations such as wines, jellies or marmalade. Not being rich in pectin, the addition of other fruits such as apples will help any jelly to set.

In folklore, the tree was supposed to protect against witchcraft and often planted near homesteads or churches. The twigs were also used for divining.