Rowan is attested from the 1520s in the sense "fruit of the service tree", adopted via French "sorbe" from Latin "sorbum" "service-berry". "Sorbus domestica" is also known as "whitty pear", the adjective whitty meaning "pinnate". The name "mountain-ash" for "Sorbus domestica" is due to a superficial similarity of the rowan leaves to those of the ash, not to be confused in "Fraxinus ornus", a true ash that is also known as "mountain ash". "Sorbus torminalis" is also known as "chequer tree"; its fruits, formerly used to flavour beer, are called "chequers", perhaps from the spotted pattern of the fruit. The name
Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf Mountain Ash () is a town (and former community) in the Cynon Valley, within the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. At the 2001 census, Mountain Ash had a population of 7,039 increasing to 7,374 at the 2011 Census. The Mountain Ash geographical area incorporates and includes the districts and villages of Cefnpennar, Cwmpennar, Caegarw, Darranlas, Fernhill, Glenboi and Newtown. Mountain Ash lies within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. The town lies about 4.5 miles south of the town of Aberdare and approximately 19 miles northwest of Cardiff. The village and community of