- Source: Karpatiosorbus devoniensis
Karpatiosorbus devoniensis is known by the English name of Devon whitebeam and formally as Broad-leaved Whitebeam. When the fruit was reported as sold at Barnstaple Pannier Market the name French Eagles was used, apart from 1929 when they were reported as eagle-berries. When the trees were reported as seen growing wild on botanical walks they were referred to as French Hails (once each as French hail and French Hales). Broad-leaved white-beam, which was the common name until Devon Whitebeam took over, was used once in 1907.
The term Otmast was used once as a pet name, as its true identity was not known. The term sorb apple has been used recently but completely without foundation, it is another example of a name being attributed to the wrong species. It is a species of whitebeam, trees and shrubs in the family Rosaceae. It is endemic to the British Isles, growing wild in areas of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and south-east Ireland as a native and north-east Ireland as an introduction.
It probably did not exist before the last ice age, arising from a hybrid between Sorbus torminalis, the wild service tree, and another species of whitebeam. It is a close relative of the Watersmeet whitebeam, Karpatiosorbus admonitor, and two other British natives and around 40 species in Europe.
Description
It will form a deciduous tree to about 12 metres height.
The leaves are entire, lobed, dark green above, the underside has a dense layer of grey hairs.
It flowers at the end of May, they are white with 5 petals.
The fruit ripen at the end of October. They are orange-brown to brown, and edible.
Locations found
along the River Taw and River Torridge
Roborough Down near Plymouth is where the type specimen was taken
Little Haldon, at Bishopsteignton along the Postman's Path
Boyton, Cornwall
South East and North East Ireland (rarely)
Halsdon Nature Reserve near Great Torrington managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust - a small tree
Uppacott Wood Nature reserve between Barnstaple and Bideford also managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, has a few trees
Watergate Bridge near Great Torrington, grid ref SS468175. The plant growing on the old platform has been removed
Leigh Cross, Zeal Monachorum
Watergate, Horwood
Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, WA, USA. Some plants in cultivation are incorrectly named so this should be verified
Between Martinhoe and Lynton in heath and woodland. Importantly not in the East Lyn valley as those plants are Sorbus admonitor
