Rowan
| Rowan |
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| Scientific classification |
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| | Species |
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Sorbus subgenus Sorbus
Sorbus aucuparia - European rowan
Sorbus americana - American rowan or 'mountain-ash'
Sorbus cashmeriana - Kashmir rowan
Sorbus commixta - Japanese rowan
Sorbus decora - Showy rowan
Sorbus glabrescens - White-fruited rowan
Sorbus hupehensis - Hubei rowan
Sorbus sargentiana - Sargent's rowan
Sorbus scalaris - Ladder rowan
Sorbus vilmoriniana - Vilmorin's rowan
Plus many other species
Sorbus subgenus Aria
Other subgenera' |
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Introduction
The 'Rowans' are members of the Rosaceae family, in genus Sorbus subgenus Sorbus. They are deciduous trees with pinnate leaves, arranged alternately.
The best known species is European rowan Sorbus aucuparia, but several other species from Asia in particular are widely cultivated as ornamental trees.
The berries are a favorite of birds, and are used in various places to make a jelly which is traditionally eaten with game.
See also Whitebeam (Sorbus subgenus Aria) and the Sorbus genus account for other Sorbus species.
The name
Etymologically, the name "Rowan" stems from the word "Runall",
which means "a charm" in the old Norse language and
"magician" in Sanskrit.
English folk names
One old name of the Rowan, "mountain ash" seems to imply it is an "ash",
although it does not belong to the Ash family,
and is much more related to the apple and Hawthorn. This name results from the superficial similarity in the leaves of the two trees.
The following list summarizes some known folk names of the Rowan tree:
- Delight of the Eye (Luisliu)
- Mountain Ash
- Quickbane
- Ran Tree
- Roden-Quicken
- Roden-Quicken-Royan
- Round wood
- Royne tree
- Rudha-an (Scots Gaelic for Red One)
- Rune tree
- Sorb apple
- Thor's helper
- Whispering tree
- Whitty
- Wicken-tree
- Wiggin
- Wiggy
- Wiky
- Witchbane
- Witchen
- Witchen tree
- Witch wood
Uses
Rowan is an excellent small ornamental tree for parks, gardens and wildlife areas. It is very attractive to fruit-eating birds like thrushes and waxwings, which is reflected in the old name "bird catcher". The wood is dense and used for carving and turning and for tool handles and walking sticks.
Magical uses
The Rowan tree has a long tradition in European mythology and folklore. It was thought to be a magical tree and protection against malevolent beings.
The density of the Rowan wood makes it very usable for walking sticks
and magician staffs that additionally carry protective qualities for
safe night journeys. This is why druid staffs, for example, have traditionally been made out of Rowan wood. The magic power that is ascribed to Rowan extends beyond simple protection, for it is said that Rowan wood will increase one's psychic powers, and its branches were often used in dowsing rods and magical wands.
Further, Rowan is carried on vessels to avoid storms, kept in houses to guard against lightning, and even planted on graves to keep the deceased from haunting. It is also used to protect one from witches or as wood to fuel the fire to burn witches (Frazer, p. 718). A Rowan growing out of another Rowan is called a "Flying Rowan" and is especially potent against witches and their magic, and as a counter-charm against sorcery (Frazer, p. 813-814). Rowan protects against enchantment and is used to make rune staves (Murray, p. 26), for metal divining, and to protect cattle from harm by
arraching sprigs to their sheds.
Leaves and berries are added to divination incense for better scrying.
Folk-medicinal uses
Fresh rowan berry juice is usable as a laxative, gargle for sore throats, inflamed tonsils, hoarseness, and as a source of vitamins A and C. Rowan berry jam will remedy diarrhea. An infusion of the berries will benefit hemorrhoids and strangury. The bark can also be used as an astringent for loose bowels and vaginal irritations.
Rowan is also used for eye irritations, spasmic pains in the uterus, heart/bladder problems, neuralgia, gout, and waist constrictions.
Rowan in recipes
Rowan berries make an excellent slightly bitter-flavoured jelly, popular as an accompaniment to roast meats. They can be used as a substitute for coffee beans. It can be used to flavor liqueurs/cordials, and to make ale.
External links
Species profile: Rowan
Mythology and Folklore of the Rowan
The Rowan Tree by Amy Sjoquist
[1]
Referenced By
Ash (tree) | Ash tree | Eucalyptus regnans | Fraxinus | List of fruit | List of fruits | Mountain Ash | Tree | Trees of Britain | Trees of Britain and Ireland | Two-barred Crossbill | White-winged Crossbill | Whitebeam
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