sorbus

sorbus (f. the tree), sorbum (n. the fruit)

Flora Eur. 466

rowan, rowanberry, quickbeam

Sorbus aucuparia L.

Eberesche, Vogelbeere

sorbier des oiseleurs, arbre à grives, arbre aux grives, poirier des oiseaux

sorbo selvatico, sorbo degli uccellatori, sorrestella, tremolina, selvostriello di montagna

G. 3.380 (sorbum)

Sorbus.aucuparia.1.jpg	Sorbus.aucuparia.2.jpg	Sorbus.aucuparia.3.jpg
Sorbus.aucuparia.4.jpg	Sorbus.aucuparia.5.jpg	Sorbus.aucuparia.6.jpg
Sorbus.aucuparia.7.jpg	Sorbus.aucuparia.8.jpg	Sorbus.aucuparia.9.jpg

Italy knows both Sorbus aucuparia, rowan, and Sorbus domestica, the service tree; but what Vergil seems to have in mind here is the wild tree, which grows in colder climates, with smaller, more grape-like berries, from which the poor northern Scythians make "wine".

For a loving look by a northerner, see Henriette Kress's pages at http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/p13/pages/sorbus-aucuparia.htm and following.

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