Sorbus aria
Sorbus aria, the whitebeam or common whitebeam, is a European and Near-Eastern deciduous tree, the type species of the subgenus of the whitebeams. Typically compact and domed, with few upswept branches and almost-white underside of the leaves. It generally favours dry limestone and chalk soils. The hermaphrodite cream-white flowers appear in May, are insect pollinated, and go on to produce scarlet berries, which are often eaten by birds.
Developed for garden use are the cultivars S. aria 'Lutescens', with very whitish-green early leaves, and S. aria 'Majestica', with large leaves. Both have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
