Shrubs or trees, to 150 dm. Winter buds glutinous or not. Leaves pinnately compound at least proximally; petiole nodes 5-lacunate; leaflet margins usually serrate, rarely almost entire. Flowers: styles distinct. Pomes: epidermis single-layered; flesh without tanniferous cells; core absent.

Distribution

North America, Eurasia, n Africa, Atlantic Islands, introduced in Pacific Islands (New Zealand).

Discussion

Species 72 (8 in the flora).

Four of the 11 recognized sections of subg. Sorbus occur in the flora area.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Sorbus sect. Commixtae, Sorbus sect. Sambucifoliae, Sorbus sect. Sorbus, Sorbus sect. Tianshanicae

Key

1	Leaflets minutely, densely papillose abaxially (at 70× ); carpels in fruit distinct in distal 1/2, apices convex; winter buds densely hairy, hairs usually whitish, rarely rufous, not glutinous.	53c.Sorbus sect. Sorbus
1	Leaflets not papillose abaxially; carpels in fruit connate or distinct, apices flat or convex; winter buds glabrous, glutinous, or hairy, hairs usually rufous, sometimes whitish	> 2
2	Winter buds mostly glutinous; carpel apices flat or convex.	53c.Sorbus sect. Commixtae
2	Winter buds never strongly glutinous; carpel apices convex	> 3
3	Leaflets not glaucous adaxially; flowers: perianth and androecium epigynous; carpels connate entire lengths; pomes red, not glaucous.	53c.Sorbus sect. Sambucifoliae
3	Leaflets somewhat glaucous adaxially; flowers: perianth and androecium semiepigynous; carpels distinct most of lengths; pomes pinkish red, glaucous.	53c.Sorbus sect. Tianshanicae