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
× Sorbaronia mitschurinii also marketed for their antioxidant properties. Other intergeneric hybrids within tribe Maleae that include "Sorbus" as one of the parents are: × Sorbaronia mitschurinii × "Sorbaronia mitschurinii, also known as Sorbaronia mitschurinii", is a domesticated species that was known until recently under the name "Aronia mitschurinii". It has been considered to be a group of cultivars of "Aronia melanocarpa", common ones including 'Viking' and 'Nero'. Genetic testing indicates it is likely a hybrid between "A. melanocarpa" and "Sorbus aucuparia" (mountain ash) that apparently originated in cultivation. It has been suggested that "Sorbaronia mitschurinii" is the product of Russian pomologist Ivan