Sorbus aucuparia as "Thor's protection". In English folklore, twigs of "S. aucuparia" were believed to ward off evil spirits and witches. The plant was called "the witch" in England and dowsing rods to find ores were made out of its wood. Twigs of "S. aucuparia" were used to drive cattle to the pasture for the first time in spring to ensure their health and fertility. The wooden shafts of forks and other farm implements were constructed from "S. aucuparia", to protect farm animals and production from witches' spells. In weather lore, a year with plentiful rowan fruit would have a good grain
Sorbus chamaemespilus in corymbs 3–4 cm diameter. The fruit is an oval red pome 10–13 mm diameter. It is the sole species in a group that has been called genus "Chamaemespilus" or "Sorbus" subgenus "Chamaemespilus", distinguished from other subgenera of "Sorbus" by the pink (not white) flowers with forward-pointing petals (not opening flat). More recently, it has become clear that the simple-leafed species traditionally included in "Sorbus" form a monophyletic group, and this species could be included in a clade called "Aria" (genus "Aria" or "Sorbus" subgenus "Aria"). Sorbus chamaemespilus Sorbus chamaemespilus, the false medlar or dwarf whitebeam, is a species of