Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi
Dwarf or gray's mountain ash, Dwarf Or Gray's Mountain Ash
(c) Peter Stevens, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi (Dwarf or gray's mountain ash) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by lateral leaflets mostly entire or toothed only above middle.
Dwarf mountain ash is a California native shrub found in the western Siskiyou Mountains in the Klamath Ranges on high-elevation ridgelines at elevations of 1,500 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with multiple stems 1 to 2 meters tall, it forms a compact, rounded shrub shape. Its compound leaves have lateral leaflets that are slightly toothed toward the upper portion, creating a finely textured green foliage. The shrub develops small fruit clusters that provide food for mountain wildlife.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key feature is lateral leaflets mostly entire or toothed only above middle
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ridgelines
Elevation: 1500-1700 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Tehama
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Sambucus: Mountain ash has narrow leaflets and pome fruits; elderberry has broader leaflets and true berries.; vs Heteromeles: Mountain ash has pinnate leaves with 9-15 leaflets; toyon has simple toothed leaves.; vs Nandina: Mountain ash has pinnate leaves once-divided; heavenly bamboo has leaves divided 2-3 times.; vs Schinus: Mountain ash has bright red-orange pomes; pepper tree has pink-red drupes and aromatic foliage.; vs Pyracantha: Mountain ash has deciduous pinnate leaves; firethorn has evergreen simple leaves and thorns.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi native to California?
Yes. Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi bloom?
Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi grow?
Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Tehama, at elevations of 1500-1700 m.
What plant family does Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi belong to?
Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi is in the Rosaceae family, genus Sorbus.
What habitat does Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi grow in?
Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi grows in Ridgelines.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sorbus sitchensis var. sitchensis — Sitka mountain ash
- Sorbus sp. — Mountain ash
- Sorbus aucuparia — European mountain ash
- Sorbus californica — California mountain ash
- Sorbus scopulina — Rocky mountain or cascade mountain ash
- Sorbus sitchensis — Western mountain ash
- Spiraea douglasii — Douglas spiraea
- Spiraea sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.