Unfortunately, the whitebeam does not have a good reputation. Although it attracts attention in the garden with its bright orange fruits, many gardeners avoid it because of its toxicity. But is the whitebeam actually poisonous? Consuming it doesn't seem to harm birds. In this profile you will find all the answers to these and other exciting questions in a nutshell.
Is the whitebeam poisonous to humans?
Is the whitebeam poisonous? Whitebeams (Sorbus) contain parasorbic acid in their fruits, which is inedible for humans. Raw consumption is not recommended, but heating such as cooking and freezing breaks down the toxins so they can be used in jam or jelly.
General
- Latin name: Sorbus
- Synonyms: rowan, rowanberry, oxelberry, iceberry
- Family: Rosaceae
- botanical classification: pome fruit family (Pyrinae)
- Tree species: deciduous tree, deciduous
- Number of species: about 100
- maximum age: up to 200 years
- Use: park tree, street tree, garden tree, bird feeder
- Frost hardy?: up to -20°C
- Occurrence as a tree or shrub
- numerous breeds and hybrids available
- Interesting facts: Iceberry was tree of the year 2011
Origin and occurrence
- Origin: Northern Europe
- local
- Distribution: throughout the northern hemisphere (temperate climate)
Location requirements
- sunny to partially shaded
- thrive even in extreme places
Soil requirements
- loamy
- sandy
- calcareous
- nutrient-rich
- humos
- pH value: neutral to alkaline
Habitus
- maximum growth height: up to 20-25 meters
- Shallow-rooted
- multi-stemmed
- expansive crown
leaves
- Length: 8-12 cm
- Color: green
- Autumn color: dark brown or reddish yellow (depending on the species)
- Underside slightly felty
- Arrangement: alternate
- simple or feathered
- Leaf shape: egg-shaped
- Leaf edge: sawn or lobed (depending on the species)
- Leaf veins clearly visible
Bloom
- hermaphrodite
- monoecious
- Flowering time: May and June
- Flower color: white
- Flower shape: umbels
- Pollination: cross-pollination by animals
Fruits
- Apple fruits
- poisonous?: contain parasorbic acid, not suitable for raw consumption, toxins disappear when heated, therefore suitable for jam or jelly
- Size: approx. 1 cm
- Color: reddish bright orange, rarely white, yellow or pink
- each fruit contains one or two seeds
- Fruit ripening: September to October
- Use: for making schnapps, cider or jam
branches and twigs
- felt hairy at a young age
- Color: gray
- Buds: egg-shaped, thick, shiny red-brown, sticky
- flaky
Bark
- smooth at first, cracks with age
- Color: gray
Pests
Predators
- Voles
- Wild
- The larvae of the furrowed black weevil
- Birds feed on the fruits
Mushrooms
- Burned Smoke Porling
- Frugal Schüppling
- Oyster mushroom
- Sulfur proling
- Oak Fire Sponge
- Bulstiger Lackporling
- Vermilion Sponge
- Rattlesponge
- Giant Porling
- Shaggy Schiller Sporling
