Sorbus sp.
Mountain ash, Mountain Ash
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Variable; species dependent
Sorbus sp. (Mountain ash) is a non-native California shrub in the Rosaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Sorbus sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Sorbus sp. belong to?
Sorbus sp. is in the Rosaceae family, genus Sorbus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sorbus aucuparia — European mountain ash
- Sorbus californica — California mountain ash
- Sorbus scopulina — Rocky mountain or cascade mountain ash
- Sorbus sitchensis — Western mountain ash
- Sorbus sitchensis var. grayi — Dwarf or gray's mountain ash
- Sorbus sitchensis var. sitchensis — Sitka mountain ash
- Spiraea douglasii — Douglas spiraea
- Spiraea sp.
- Spiraea splendens — Rose meadowsweet
- Acaena californica — California acaena
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.