Sorbus pseudomeinichii
Encyclopedia
Sorbus pseudomeinichii, known as Catacol Whitebeam, is a rare tree endemic to the Isle of Arran
in south west Scotland
. It is believed to have arisen as a hybrid of the native Rowan
(Sorbus aucuparia) and the Cut-leaved Whitebeam
(Sorbus pseudofennica) which is in turn a Rowan/Arran Whitebeam
(Sorbus arranensis) hybrid. Only two specimens of the Catacol Whitebeam are known, making it the rarest tree in Scotland and also the United Kingdom. A third was recorded as a sapling but is believed to have been destroyed by deer
. A seedling has also been grown in Edinburgh.
The discovery followed work in the 1990s by Scottish Natural Heritage
(SNH), Dougarie Estate and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
. The trees were confirmed as a distinct species by DNA testing.
Graeme Walker of SNH has said:
Dr. Ashley Robertson of Bristol University, who helped discover the species, said: "It is not an evolutionary dead end. It is evolution in action".
The new species is the third endemic whitebeam found on Arran (after the Arran Whitebeam and the Cut-leaved Whitebeam) and combines the red berries of a rowan with the oval leaves of a whitebeam. The trees are currently within a deer fence which will be extended - delivery of materials by helicopter will be necessary due to the remoteness of the location. The species is named after Glen Catacol
where it was found and one of the two surviving plants is thought to be more than fifty years old.
Isle of Arran
Arran or the Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and with an area of is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire and the 2001 census had a resident population of 5,058...
in south west Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is believed to have arisen as a hybrid of the native Rowan
Rowan
The rowans or mountain-ashes are shrubs or small trees in genus Sorbus of family Rosaceae. They are native throughout the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in the mountains of western China and the Himalaya, where numerous apomictic microspecies...
(Sorbus aucuparia) and the Cut-leaved Whitebeam
Sorbus pseudofennica
Sorbus pseudofennica is a species of plant in the Rosaceae family. It is a naturally occurring hybrid caused by the Rock Whitebeam hybridising with the Rowan , then crossing back with S. aucuparia...
(Sorbus pseudofennica) which is in turn a Rowan/Arran Whitebeam
Sorbus arranensis
Sorbus arranensis, sometimes referred to as the Scottish or Arran Whitebeam is a species of plant in the Rosaceae family. It is endemic to the island of Arran in Scotland.-Range and habitat:...
(Sorbus arranensis) hybrid. Only two specimens of the Catacol Whitebeam are known, making it the rarest tree in Scotland and also the United Kingdom. A third was recorded as a sapling but is believed to have been destroyed by deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
. A seedling has also been grown in Edinburgh.
The discovery followed work in the 1990s by Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish public body. It is responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. It advises the Scottish Government and acts as a government agent in the delivery of conservation designations, i.e...
(SNH), Dougarie Estate and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Originally founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies four sites across Scotland — Edinburgh,...
. The trees were confirmed as a distinct species by DNA testing.
Graeme Walker of SNH has said:
"These are unique trees which are native to Arran and not found anywhere else in the world, we knew about the Arran Whitebeam and the Cut-leaved Arran Whitebeam, which are also crosses between rowan and different species of whitebeam, but it has been really exciting to discover a completely new species. It is very complex picture but we think that the Arran Whitebeams are gradually evolving towards a new type of tree which will probably look very similar to a rowan."
Dr. Ashley Robertson of Bristol University, who helped discover the species, said: "It is not an evolutionary dead end. It is evolution in action".
The new species is the third endemic whitebeam found on Arran (after the Arran Whitebeam and the Cut-leaved Whitebeam) and combines the red berries of a rowan with the oval leaves of a whitebeam. The trees are currently within a deer fence which will be extended - delivery of materials by helicopter will be necessary due to the remoteness of the location. The species is named after Glen Catacol
Catacol
Catacol is a small village on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. It is located on the north west side of the island, just a few miles along the coastal road from Lochranza at the foot of Glen Catacol, a steep-sided valley. It derives its name from Old Norse, referring to the 'gully of the...
where it was found and one of the two surviving plants is thought to be more than fifty years old.
External links
- New species of tree discovered bbc.co.uk Thursday, 14 June 2007 (Accessed June 18, 2007)