About Sorbus scopulina Greene
Sorbus scopulina Greene is a shrub or small tree that reaches a maximum height of 5 metres (16 feet). It produces pinnate leaves with 9 to 13 leaflets. Its flowers have five petals that range in color from white to cream, each a few centimetres long. The fruit is a pome between orange and red in color, measuring roughly 1.5 cm (1⁄2 inch) across. This species can easily be confused with poisonous baneberries, especially red baneberry. It is native to western North America, found mainly in the Rocky Mountains. Many types of birds and mammals, including bears, eat the fruit of this plant. Although the fruits look similar to poisonous baneberries, they are edible, and were used by Native Americans and early European settlers. The fruits were cooked and turned into jelly. They have a bitter flavor when fresh, and taste better once they have fully reddened.
