The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

ROWAN

The Rowan, Mountain Ash, Quicken Tree or Witchen (Pyrus aucuparia) is a tree of the pear and apple genus of the family Rosaceae. It is native to the British isles, and is found chiefly in mountainous woods. It has compound pinnate leaves, smaller than those of the ash, and flowers in May or June, the flowers being about the size of those of the hawthorn, but the corymbs are larger. The fruit is a bitter, juicy scarlet berry about the size of the red currant and is used for flavouring apple jelly and making a condiment. The wood is tough and close grained, mostly heart-wood and is used for making furniture and tools. Formerly the tree was used as a charm against witchcraft - whence the name Witchen.
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