A tree deeply associated with the femine, Rowan was the tree from which the first woman was formed, according to Norse mythology. Also known as Mountain Ash, it is is a small, deciduous tree that's a member of the Rosacaea (Rose) family. It stands out especially during the Autumn when its red berries pop when juxtaposed with the greenery of the forest.
The arrival of the Rowan berries each autumn is such a magical moment for me. They come quite early in the berry season, in the UK this happens in late August. I can't help but stop to photograph them which makes walking through the woods quite a slow process!
I also love spotting the baby rowan trees growing on the forest floor in early spring - they look so cute with their teensy leaves and I find are often one of the earlier deciduous trees to get their leaves, following just after the earliest spring bloomers (like birch and alder)
In this blog I have covered the basics you'll need to know to get to grips with this mystical and historically revered tree.
Mythology of the Rowan Tree
We are all familiar with the biblical origin story where woman was shaped from Adam's rib. However, in Norse Mythology that the very first woman was created from the Rowan tree, and man from the Ash.
I love this image of woman coming from a tree, and such a graceful, beautiful and hardy tree at that!! It's a hint to the fact that we all live symbiotically with those wild plants that grow all around us, and actually - it is true that those plants pre date us, and that we depended on them as we evolved.
Throughout history, Rowan has been associated with many women - and is known as Lady of the Moutntain for example, a reference for her ability to grow at heights up to 2000 metres! (3) In the Celtic tradition, she's associated with with Saint brighid, patroness of the arts. It's also called 'witch wood' as it was said to protect you from witches. (3)
The deep mythology of the tree is evident from it's varied nicknames:
Thor's helper - legend has it that the Norse god thor was saved from drowning in a river by grabbing onto the tree's branch. (3)
Tree of the Bards - it was thought that sitting beneath the tree could bring inspiration.
Identification of the Rowan Tree
So, how can you spot it? Typically reaching a height of approximately 20m, the Rowan Tree is commonly located in light wooded areas, especially in mountainous and rocky regions. It's a tough old thing, and can grow up to 2000m above sea level. (2) It is also commonly planted in towns and cities. I love spotting it around Welwyn Garden City, where I live.
It has 5-7 pairs of thin, toothed leaflets and its cream flowers grow in large umbels. It looks fairly similar to the elder tree but its leaves are serrated and more narrow. The red/orange berries are small and extremely bright. Despite being called 'Mountain Ash', it's in fact not a member of the Ash family at all, but the apple sub family of the Rose/Rosaceae family which also includes hawthorn, blackthorn (sloes) and plums.
It is native throughout Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It is known to be a pioneer species as it's often one of the first trees to repopulate an area. It is used to regenerate native woodland in areas of cleared pine plantations.(6)
Foraging Rowan berries
The berry is the edible part of the Rowan Tree, but as with elderberry they must be cooked as the raw berry can cause stomach upset due. toa chemical called parasorbic acid which can cause gastroenteritis (4). It is apparently full of vitamin C & A (1).
It is traditionally used to make a jam that can apparently goes well with meat. I've never tried it but it's definitely on my to do list.
You can also use them to make decorations, particularly for Christmas. I've dried some that I intend to make garlands with to either hang on my wall or Christmas tree. It's very simple to do, you simply get a needle and thread and thread the berries onto the string, then leave them to dry. Voila, free biodegradable Christmas decorations.
Use of Rowan in herbal medicine
It's not one of the most common herbal medicines quoted in literature. However, European folk medicine utilized the fruit and flowers for their anti-inflammatory properties and as a vitamin C source to ward off scurvy. In Austrian traditional medicine, the fruits are transformed into an alcoholic tincture or tea for addressing fevers, infections, and colds.(5)
I love it when the folk medicine is backed up by science. Various research has indicated that phytochemicals found in the berries have a diverse array of biological properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell regulatory effects & a recent study showed that Rowanberry pomace is a promising source of natural bioactive antioxidants.(7)
Concluding thoughts
As I had been spotting the Rowan tree around the woods lately, I really found myself wanting to learn more about it. I love its association with women and magic throughout history, and also the fact that it's a pioneer species that can be used for regeneration. I'm excited to be making my Christmas decoration swith it's lush berries soon, subscribe to my newsletter as I'll be sure to share the results when its finished!
Resources & sources
(3) Inkwright, Fez. Folk Magic and Healing: An Unusual History of Everyday Plants. Liminal 11, 2019.
(6) Restoration of native woodland on clear-felled conifer sites through natural regeneration, University of Leeds
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