''Sorbus anglica'', the English whitebeam, is a species of

whitebeam The whitebeams are members of the family Rosaceae, comprising subgenus ''Aria'' (or, according to some authorities, its own genus) of genus ''Sorbus'', and hybrids involving species of this subgenus and members of subgenera ''Sorbus'', ''Torminar ...

tree in the family Rosaceae. It is uncommonly found in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, with an entire British population estimated at about 600David Jones, ''Welsh Wildlife'', 2003, "Trees", p. 39. individuals.

Description

''Sorbus anglica'' grows as a small tree or shrub, often with multiple stems. The leaves are broader than most other ''Sorbus'', with lobes whose bases are incised up to one third of the way to the midrib.

Distribution

''Sorbus anglica'' is found in several widely scattered sites in south-west England, Wales, and around Killarney in south-west Ireland.

Ecology and evolution

''Sorbus anglica'' is usually found growing on cliffs, quarries and rocky hillsides. It appears to be indifferent to soil pH. Occasional specimens are known from oak woodland. Research suggests ''Sorbus anglica'' arose from a cross between '' Sorbus porrigentiformis'' and '' Sorbus aucuparia''.

References

{{Use dmy dates, date=May 2020 anglica Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Trees of the United Kingdom Trees of Ireland