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Scannell's Whitebeam

Sorbus scannelliana

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
5 metres tall
Habitats:
Woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Clusters of white flowers.
Fruit:
The fruit is a red berry.
Leaves:
Shiny, elliptical, green, lobed leaves. Pale green with down on the undersides of the leaves. Found in the Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Other Information

Summary

Sorbus scannelliana, also known as Scannell's Whitebeam, is a species of whitebeam tree that is native to Ireland. It is known for its large clusters of white flowers and its distinctive, glossy leaves. The tree is considered to be a rare and endangered species, and is protected under Irish law.

Blog

Scannell's Whitebeam, Sorbus scannelliana, is a rare species of tree that is native to the southwestern coast of Ireland. It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall and has a rounded or spreading crown. The leaves are oval or oblong-shaped and are a bright green color during the growing season, turning yellow or red in the autumn.

The tree is named after the Irish botanist and forester, P.J. Scannell, who first discovered it in the 1940s. This species was initially thought to be a hybrid of two other whitebeam species, Sorbus aria and Sorbus torminalis, but DNA analysis confirmed that it is a distinct species.

Scannell's Whitebeam is an important species for conservation efforts because it is one of the rarest trees in the world. It is estimated that there are only about 300 mature individuals left in the wild, making it a critically endangered species.

The tree is known for its unique and attractive appearance, making it a popular ornamental species for gardeners and landscapers. Its fruit is also a food source for birds and other wildlife, making it an important species for supporting biodiversity.

Unfortunately, the rarity of Scannell's Whitebeam makes it a target for collectors and illegal trade. Conservation efforts have been underway to protect the remaining wild populations and to propagate the species through cultivation.

Scannell's Whitebeam is a unique and important species that deserves our attention and protection. Its rarity and beauty make it a valuable addition to any garden or landscape, and its role in supporting biodiversity should not be overlooked. By spreading awareness about this species and supporting conservation efforts, we can help to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of Scannell's Whitebeam.

Aside from its ornamental value and importance for biodiversity, Scannell's Whitebeam also has potential for horticultural and medicinal uses. Its wood is strong and durable, making it suitable for furniture, flooring, and other construction materials.

In traditional medicine, the bark of the tree was used to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions, digestive issues, and respiratory problems. The fruit of the tree was also used as a food source, either raw or cooked, and is said to have a sweet and juicy flavor.

Additionally, Scannell's Whitebeam is an important part of the cultural heritage of southwestern Ireland. Its unique features and rarity make it a symbol of the region's rich natural history and cultural heritage.

Despite its many benefits, the continued existence of Scannell's Whitebeam is still threatened by factors such as habitat loss, illegal trade, and climate change. It is important that we take steps to protect and preserve this species before it becomes extinct.

One way to support conservation efforts is to cultivate Scannell's Whitebeam in our own gardens or public spaces. By doing so, we can ensure that the species continues to thrive and will be available for future generations to appreciate. Additionally, by spreading awareness about the tree and its importance, we can help to discourage illegal trade and habitat destruction.

Scannell's Whitebeam is a rare and valuable species that deserves our protection and preservation. Its beauty, cultural significance, and potential for horticultural and medicinal uses make it an important part of our natural heritage. By supporting conservation efforts and cultivating this species, we can help to ensure that Scannell's Whitebeam will continue to thrive for generations to come.

It is also important to note that Scannell's Whitebeam is not only threatened by human activities but also by natural factors such as disease and pests. The tree is susceptible to a fungal disease called whitebeam dieback, which can cause the tree's leaves to turn brown and the branches to die back.

To protect Scannell's Whitebeam from disease, it is important to maintain healthy trees and to avoid introducing infected plants or materials into new areas. Additionally, proper pruning and maintenance can help to keep the tree healthy and prevent disease from spreading.

In addition to disease, the tree is also vulnerable to pests such as the whitebeam sawfly and the whitebeam leaf miner. These pests can cause significant damage to the tree's leaves, making it difficult for the tree to photosynthesize and grow.

To protect the tree from pests, it is important to monitor for signs of infestation and to take action quickly if any are found. This can include removing infested leaves or branches, applying pesticide treatments, or introducing natural predators to control the pest population.

In conclusion, Scannell's Whitebeam is a species that faces many threats, both from human activities and from natural factors such as disease and pests. By taking steps to protect and preserve this species, we can help to ensure its continued survival and preserve a valuable part of our natural heritage. Whether through cultivation, conservation efforts, or pest control, each of us can play a role in protecting Scannell's Whitebeam for future generations to enjoy.