False-medlar
Chamaemespilus alpina
Synonyms: Crataegus sorbifolia, Aria chamaemespilus var. bicolor, Pyrus fruticosa, Pyrus chamaemespilus, Hahnia chamaemespilus, Crataegus chamaemespilus, Pyrus chamaemespilus subvar. crantzii, Pyrus chamaemespilus var. discolor, Pyrus chamaemespilus var. glabra, Sorbus chamaemespilus subsp. calvescens, Aria crantzii, Aronia chamaemespilus, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. discolor, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. typica, Sorbus dentosa, Lazarolus chamaemespilus, Sorbus fruticosa, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. angustifolia, Mespilus chamaemespilus, Sorbus chamaemespilus f. angustifolia, Azarolus alpina, Azarolus chamaemespilus, Pyrenia chamaemespylus, Pyrus alpina, Crataegus chamaemespilus discolor, Sorbus cerasoides, Crataegus alpina, Aronia ariachamaemespilus, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. glabra, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. tomentosa, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. lanuginosa, Sorbus chamaemespilus f. grosseserrata, Sorbus chamaemespilus var. ovalifolia, Crataegus humilis, Sorbus chamaemespilus minus, Sorbus crantzii, Sorbus chamaemespilus f. discolor, Sorbus purpurea, Chamaemespilus humilis, Sorbus carpatica, Aria chamaemespilus, Sorbus pilosula, Prunus chamaemespilus, Sorbus chamaemespilus
Gallery
Botanical Description
Chamaemespilus alpina (syn. Sorbus chamaemespilus), the false medlar or dwarf whitebeam, is a small deciduous shrub in the family Rosaceae endemic to the mountains of central and southern Europe, principally the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines, and Carpathians, where it grows in subalpine scrub, rocky slopes, and the upper margins of conifer forest on calcareous to neutral soils, typically between 1,000 and 2,500 m elevation. Plants grow 0.3–2 m tall with stiff, ascending to spreading branches, smooth grey-brown bark, and a dense, rounded habit. The leaves are alternate, simple, elliptic to obovate, 3–7 cm long, finely and sharply serrate, dark green and glabrous above and only slightly paler and sparsely hairy below — quite unlike the densely white-tomentose underside of typical whitebeams. The flowers are small, narrowly bell-shaped rather than fully open, pale pink to rose, clustered in tight terminal corymbs in early summer. The fruit is a small, ovoid to subglobose red pome 8–12 mm long, mealy when ripe.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.