Side by side
Manna ash or rowan? How to tell them apart
Fraxinus ornus · Sorbus aucuparia
How to tell them apart – manna ash: ash with large, creamy panicles of fragrant flowers in May, and grey-brown, felted buds instead of black ones; rowan: alternate leaf with narrower leaflets, and orange-red berries.
How do you recognise them?
- Manna ash
- Ash with large, creamy panicles of fragrant flowers in May, and grey-brown, felted buds instead of black ones.
- Rowan
- Pinnate leaf with narrow, toothed leaflets, white flower heads and clusters of orange-red berries.
- Compared with manna ash: alternate leaf with narrower leaflets, and orange-red berries.
| Manna ash | Rowan | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, pinnate, with 5–9 stalked, oval, toothed leaflets 5–10 cm long. | Alternate, pinnate with 9–19 narrow, toothed leaflets. Buds purplish-brown and felted. |
| Flowering | Dense panicles of small, white, fragrant flowers with narrow petals, in May–June (May–June). | Flat heads of white flowers in May (May). |
| Fruit | Hanging clusters of narrow winged seeds 2–3 cm long. | Clusters of orange-red berries from August; a feast for thrushes. |
| Bark | Smooth and grey, even on older trees. Buds grey-brown and finely felted. | Smooth, shiny silver-grey. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 8–15 m | Broadleaf tree, 5–15 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, dry | Sun or partial shade, acid soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | November–March | November–March |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Rowan is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Manna ash
- Plant profile: Rowan
- Manna ash: when and how to prune
- Rowan: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.