Sorbus commixta
Sorbus commixta, the Japanese rowan, is a flowering tree in the rose family. It is native to central and eastern China, Korea, Japan, and Sakhalin in the Russian Far East. The name commixtameans mixed or mingled.
Description
It is a small to medium deciduous tree, usually 7–10 meters tall, sometimes up to 18 meters, with a rounded crown and brownish‑silvery‑grey bark. The leaves are compound (pinnate), about 20–30 cm long with 11–17 leaflets. Each leaflet is 4–7 cm long and serrated. In autumn the leaves turn deep purple or red.
Flowers and fruit
In late spring to early summer it bears sprays (corymbs) of small white flowers, 6–10 mm across, with five petals and many pale yellowish‑white stamens. The fruit is a bright orange‑red pome, about 7–8 mm in diameter, ripening in autumn.
Varieties and cultivation
Plants from Hokkaido, the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin are sometimes referred to as Sorbus commixta var. sachalinensis, with larger leaflets up to about 9 cm.
Sorbus commixta is grown as an ornamental tree and is hardy in zones 5–9. It prefers moist, well‑drained soil and full sun. Popular garden forms include 'Embley' (fastigiate, with narrow branching) and 'Serotina' (flowers later in early summer). 'Embley' has the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 12:14 (CET).