Sorbus commixta, the Japanese rowan, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to central and eastern China, Korea, Japan, and Sakhalin (in the Russian Far East).[1] [2]
The specific epithet commixta means "mixed or mingled together".[3]
It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 7- tall, rarely 180NaN0, growing in mixed forests and on mountain slopes. It has a rounded crown and brownish to silvery-grey bark. The leaves are 20- long, and pinnate. The leaves consist of 11–17 leaflets, each 4- long and 1–2.5 cm broad, with an acuminate apex and serrated margins; they change to a deep purple or red in autumn. The flowers are 6–10 mm in diameter, with five white petals and 20 yellowish-white stamens; they are produced in corymbs 9- in diameter in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a bright orange to red pome 7–8 mm in diameter, maturing in autumn.[1] [2] [4]
Plants from Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin are sometimes distinguished as Sorbus commixta' var. 'sachalinensis, with larger leaflets up to 9 cm long.[2]
Sorbus commixta is grown as an ornamental tree, hardy in zones 5-9. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil, in full sun. A number of cultivars have been selected, the most popular being 'Embley' (with fastigiate branching) and 'Serotina' (flowering later in early summer).[2] 'Embley' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5] [6]