Rowan (Mountain Ash)

Rowan or Mountain Ash is an ancient tree used since ancient times.

The berries provide a variety of wild edible delights and offer a range of uses in medicine.

Scientific Name

Sorbus aucuparia

Family

Rosaceae.

Botanical Description

The bark of this small shrubby tree is smooth, shiny and greyish-coloured.

The stem and branches are slender with pinnate leaves that are dark green on the upper side and bluish green on the underside with toothed margins.

The tree yields scented white-petalled flowers in umbrella-like clusters. The berry-like fruit is scarlet, turning from green to yellow to orange-red as they mature.

Status

Native to Britain, Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus and Western Siberia; introduced to North America and New Zealand.

Habitat and Distribution

It prefers rocky places, glens and mountain riversides; also grown as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.

Parts Used for Food

Largely berries, but the bark, twigs, buds, flowers, leaves and sap are also edible. See cautions below.

Harvest Time

A deciduous tree, fruiting August to November.

Food Uses of Rowan or Mountain Ash

The berries can be used to make jams, jellies, conserves, marmalades, vinegar, wines, spirits, confectionery, ketchup, pies and soups.

However, the raw berries have a bitter taste unless you know how to pick and prepare them.

The bitter, astringent taste is said to be improved after frost, which helps make the fruit sweeter.

In Estonia, between the 18th–21st centuries, almost all parts of the rowan tree have been used as a wild edible, including the bark, twigs, buds, flowers, leaves, sap and fruit.

Nutritional Profile of Rowan or Mountain Ash

The berries contain vitamins A and C, as well as other substances like pectin, malic acid and tannins. Candied rowan berries contain 30–40 mg of vitamin C.

In fact, it was once used to treat scurvy and we now know that the tree’s berries contain high amounts of vitamin C.

Recipes for Rowan or Mountain Ash

Herbal Medicine Uses of Rowan or Mountain Ash

Since ancient times, the berries have been prescribed for stomach disorders or for bleeding.

The leaves were also used to make remedies for sore eyes, rheumatism, asthma and colds.

The berries and the bark are astringent which may support these uses of the tree.

Other Uses

The wood is hard and elastic and has had many commercial uses in woodcraft from making baskets and cartwheels to kitchen utensils and crates.

Safety Note

The berries may irritate the stomach if taken in excess, while other sources warn that the seeds may be toxic and cause poisoning.

There is little information about the safety of the tree during pregnancy or when breastfeeding, and so rowan is best avoided at these times.

References

Vickery R. A Dictionary of Plant-Lore. Oxford University Press; 1997.

Sõukand R, Kalle R. Changes in the Use of Wild Food Plants in Estonia: 18th-21st Century. 1st ed. 2016. Springer; 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-33949-8

Cleene M de, Lejeune MC. Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe. Man & Culture; 2002.

Uphof JCT. Dictionary of Economic Plants. H.R. Engelmann; 1959.

Wyse Jackson P. Ireland’s Generous Nature: The Past and Present Uses of Wild Plants in Ireland. Missouri Botanical Garden Press; 2013.

Ambasta S. The Useful Plants of India. National Institute of Science Communication, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research; 2000.

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  1. Rowan was one of the ingredients in what we named ‘hedgerow jam’ a few years back . I took my kids for a walk up a county lane and we picked whatever we found that was edible. Our haul included rowan, blackberies, tiny green apples, rose hips, bulace, a few sloes, and haws. It was delicious and came out a lovely red-orange colour. It was great way to introduce the kids to foraging beyond blackberries, and using the results.

    Reply
    • I love this idea! Last year I added Rowan in with our blaeberries, blackberries and some wild cherries, and the crab apples from the garden – mainly because I had lots of “bits” left over – but I really love this – thank you for sharing. x

      Reply
    • Im making a batch right now for the first time!
      630g Rowan
      630g Blackberry
      150g Haws (underripe)
      130g Elderberry
      120g Rosehips
      10g Blackthorn
      150g apple
      5g wormwood (fresh)
      60ml lemon juice
      500g sugar

      Reply
  2. Hi Robin, have you experimented with rowan buds? They are very tasty – marzipan, though I’m unsure of they’re safety as a food. I’m thinking they’re probably ok as a spice or flavouring. Wondering where the wriggle room is because they really are delicious! Best wishes.

    Reply
  3. Dear Robin, I mistook the flowers for elderflower and made cordial from them. Is this safe to drink because I have been !
    Your knowledge would be appreciated.
    Thank you
    Susan

    Reply
  4. I did too and only now the berries have come out did I realise!! We drank litres of the stuff and are still standing …

    Reply
  5. I’d like to make juice from rowan berries—my tree is prolific this year . Do I just use a jelly recipe with less sugar, like I would with blackberries?

    Reply
  6. I bought from a local farmers market Rowan Berry jelly. I’ve been a WARFARIN ptient continually for 35 years,I’m now 80.Just couldn’t resist the lure,of something different on my toast.Just hope I havent upset my readings.thanks for the opportunity to comment.Dee BUCK

    Reply
  7. I would love to know if the blossom is edible and whether you can make jam from it, as you can with cherry blossom? Thanks for the interesting info

    Reply

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