Sorbus randaiensis is a species of deciduous tree in the family Rosaceae. It is endemic to the mountain areas of central Taiwan, with altitude 1,800m to 3,200m, mostly spotted in the forest of Xueshan, Hehuan Mountain, , and Nenggao Mountain. It is a tree 3–8 m tall with white flowers and reddish fruit.
Naming It was first described as Pyrus aucuparia var. randaiensis by Bunzō Hayata in 1911,Hayata, J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 30(1): 98. 1911. then placed in Sorbus by Gen'ichi Koidzumi in 1913.Koidzumi, The Journal of the College of Science, Imperial University of Tokyo, Japan 34(2): 52. 1913.
Its species epithet randaiensis implies that the first type specimen was collected at Mount Xiluan.
Description Deciduous trees with obvious lenticel on the branches.
Leaf Alternate, odd number pinnate leaves, with leaflets 15–21. Leaflets without petiole, shaped from long oval to lanceolate, 3–4 cm in length, 8–12 cm in width. The front end tapered, and the basal part skew, circled or obtuse. Margin jagged. Petiole with groove, and with short furs when young.
Flower Terminal corymbs inflorescence. Pedicels are short, about 3–4 mm in length. Petals 5, white. Hypanthium with long furs, triangle shaped. Stamens 15–20, Carpels 3–5, isolated. Styles 3–5, isolated or basal synthetic. Flower perigynous.
Fruit Schizocarp, berry-like, globular with diameter 7 mm. The front end has the remaining traces of stigma and calyx. Turn rubine at maturation.
Phenology First leaf for the spring sprouts during April to May. Inflorescence is on about May to June. Around September to October, their fruits ripen with rubine color. And in the October to November, their leaves turn yellow or red before falling down.
Uses
Medicine Its fruit, stem, and bark can be used as medicine. Although tasting bitter, it is a cure for chronic bronchitis and cough with phlegm, and is spleen-tonifying.
Ornamental It is a branching tree that expands outwards, displaying it's flowers and branches.
Food The fruits are with juicy texture and sweetness, tasting delicious.
Notes
References
台灣植物資訊整合查詢系統 雪霸國家公園全球資訊網
External links