Sorbus devoniensis Devon Whitebeam RR D N Endemic
For many years it was believed that one of the Sorbus (Whitebeam) species on the Great Orme was Sorbus devoniensis and many noted in their diaries as such. Then some of the fruits were sent to Dr. Tim Rich for identification when it seemed rather unlikely that such a tree was growing so far away from the others. It came back as Sorbus croceocarpa (Orange Whitebeam) which is often planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
In 2018 the Wild Flower Society held their AGM in Devon and a trip to Roborough Down led to us seeing the true Sorbus devoniensis in fruit. You need fruits and leaves for identification rather than flowers. It is that rare species, a British and Irish endemic plant. We don't have that many endemics in Britain and Ireland unlike botanical hotspots such as Western Australia where 60% of the species growing there are endemic. The brown fruits rather than red or orange are typical and they go darker with age.
It is found mainly in south eastern Ireland and in Devon and other records are usually found to be planted specimens.
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| Sorbus devoniensis Devon Whitebeam |
Roborough Down, Devon, 2nd September 2018
Added on 31st October 2018