Western mountain ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sitka mountain-ash |
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| Sorbus sitchensis flower cymes | |
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Sorbus
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Tianshanicae
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| Species: |
S. sitchensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Sorbus sitchensis M.Roem.
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| Range of Sorbus sitchensis | |
The Sitka mountain-ash, also known as western mountain ash, is a cool small shrub found in northwestern North America. It's a type of plant that grows like a bush with many stems.
Contents
What is Sitka Mountain-Ash?
Where Does This Shrub Grow?
This special shrub grows only in northwestern North America. You can find it along the Pacific coast of Alaska. It also grows in the mountains of Washington, Oregon, and northern California. You might even spot it further east in parts of Idaho, western Alberta, and Montana. It's super common in British Columbia.
How to Spot a Sitka Mountain-Ash
The Sitka mountain-ash is a shrub with many stems. It looks a bit like another plant called Sorbus scopulina. However, the Sitka mountain-ash has leaves that are sharply jagged along most of their edges. The Sorbus scopulina has yellow-green leaves that are also jagged, but they are pointed at the end. In the fall, the Sitka mountain-ash often shows off beautiful red and orange leaves, along with bright red berries.
Uses of Sitka Mountain-Ash
Who Eats the Fruit?
Even though the fruits of the Sitka mountain-ash are not usually eaten by people, they are an important food source for some birds. These birds munch on the fruits during the winter months when other food might be hard to find. The bright red berries stand out against the snow, making them easy for birds to spot.
