Flower profile
European mountain ash
Sorbus aucuparia
European mountain ash is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Alaska it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Alaska
Quick look
Sorbus aucuparia, commonly called rowan and mountain-ash, is a species of deciduous tree or shrub in the rose family.
- It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 29 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as not native to Alaska. NatureServe
- In Alaska, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 40 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 541 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #79 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. iNaturalist
European mountain ash gift ideas
Handmade european mountain ash gifts from independent makers.
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European mountain ash art print
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European mountain ash greeting card
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European mountain ash mug
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European mountain ash earrings
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European mountain ash embroidery pattern
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European mountain ash sticker
When does it bloom?
In Alaska, most flowering sightings come in May–June.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Alaska
- No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Alaska.
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension notes: “The fruit is processed into an alcoholic drink, juice, and vinegar used medicinally and stewed into a tea.” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records European mountain ash in 29 states plus Washington, D.C.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.
Alaska counties with USDA records: Juneau, Ketchikan Gateway, Sitka.
More Alaska flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile SOAU.
- iNaturalist, Sorbus aucuparia: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Sorbus aucuparia (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Sorbus aucuparia (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Matt Lavin via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.