Sorbus aria

Sorbus aria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Sorbus
Subgenus:	Aria
Species:	S. aria
Binomial name
Sorbus aria Crantz
Distribution map
Synonyms
Aria nivea Host.

Sorbus aria (syn. Aria nivea), the whitebeam or common whitebeam,^[1] is a European and Near-Eastern deciduous tree, the type species of the subgenus of the whitebeams. Typically compact and domed, with few upswept branches and almost-white underside of the leaves. It generally favours dry limestone and chalk soils. The hermaphrodite cream-white flowers appear in May, are insect pollinated, and go on to produce scarlet berries, which are often eaten by birds.^[2] Developed for garden use are the cultivars S. aria 'Lutescens',^[3] with very whitish-green early leaves, and S. aria 'Majestica',^[4] with large leaves. Both have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

1. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
2. The Reader's Digest Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain p.86.
3. "RHS Plant Selector - Sorbus aria 'Lutescens'". Retrieved 4 June 2013.
4. "RHS Plant Selector - Sorbus aria 'Majestica'". Retrieved 4 June 2013.