16.) SORBUS - Whitebeams - Pages

16.) SORBUS - Whitebeams

The taxonomy of Sorbus has made huge progress since the turn of the century. The Bristol region now boasts 9 endemic taxa, 8 of which are endemic to the Avon Gorge, S. richii being the only exception; bringing the total number of species in the region to 29? native taxa and a further 8? introductions.

Whitebeams of the Avon Gorge:

Whitebeams oh Whitebeams you silvery things. Hanging from the cliffs with shimmering leaves. Rare in number but boundless in variety. For this botanical hot spot - do you show your entirety?

Surely there is still more to be discovered? But threats now reach to every rock crevice. From nibbling goats and trampling humans to the far greater threat of Climate change and invasive species - including non-native members of your own kind - recklessly planted by countless generations to 'improve' on the number of this internationally important site. A Sorbus hot spot which should really be treasured but instead is bombarded by thoughtless decisions.

The Robertson Whitebeam now sadly extinct is a perfect example of their literal 'hanging on a cliff edge'. These precious trees need protecting and raising awareness. It should be built into the minds of all Bristolian's that the Avon Gorge is this amazing place. Or we risk losing it and turning it into a botanical disgrace!

SORBUS L.

Subgenus CORMUS (Spach) Duch.

Sorbus domestica L. (Cormus domestica (L.) Spach) (Service-tree / True Service-tree / Sorb-tree) Woodland Very Rare Very rare. Several trees were discovered on cliffs at Horseshoe Bend above the River Avon on the 18th of August 1996 by M.A.R.K. & C. Kitchen, L. Houston and A.C. Titchen; during a botanical trip to mark the 150th birthday anniversary of locally famous botanist J.W. White. What a gift! Elsewhere in Britain this national rarity is only thought to be indigenous to 3? other sites (all within the Severn basin and along the Bristol Channel): Glamorgan, East Cornwall and Worcestershire.

[what is their current status?]

Subgenus SORBUS

Sorbus aucuparia L. (ssp. aucuparia) (Rowan / Mountain Ash) / Woodland Uncommon Naturally a scarce species in our area; occurring in woodland, cliffs and old quarries on both calcareous and acidic substrates. It is most concentrated in the Avon Gorge area but its native distribution has become obscured as it is also frequently planted and often bird-sown from gardens - where it becomes established along roadsides and railway banks.
Sorbus aucuparia x S. aria = S. x thuringiaca (Nyman) Schönach (Hedlundia thuringiaca (Nyman) Sennikov & Kurtto ) (Bastard Service Tree / German Service-tree - Stace) /- Woodland Very Rare Very rare as a native in the Avon Gorge despite the relative local frequency of the parent species. First collected at Leigh Woods in 1874 by W.E. Green. A single tree was found at Leigh Woods in 1975 by P.J.M. Nethercott and still persists?; another, discovered in 1988 by ?, formerly grew in the Gully on the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge but died in ?; One mature specimen and saplings was found in the heart of Leigh Woods in 2005 by ?; another on the Plain in 2007 by?; and one tree on the edge of the forked path, heading towards the Round House in 2015 by ?. As of current less than 10? specimens are known to exist. Elsewhere it is widely planted; particularly across Bristol though it could occur naturally at other sites in the region. White (1912) did not know of this tree in the wild but states (under Pyrus pinnatifida) "The only local example known to me stands in front of Buckingham Chapel, Queen's Road, Clifton." It is also known as the Bastard Service Tree.

List of BSBI records:

First collected at Leigh Woods in 1874 [ST57] by W.E. Green.
then again in 1970-1986 [ST57] by an unknown recorder
then in 1975 [ST546745] by L. Farrel of a tree, some 30ft to the right of a small path
then in 1975 [ST546745] by L. Farrel
then in 1975 [ST546745] by L. Farrel
then in 1976 [ST57] by R. Williams
then in 1993 [ST556731] by D.T. Holyoak
then in 2001 [ST57] by L. Houston & T.C.G. Rich
then in 2002 [ST57] by L. Houston & T.C.G. Rich
then at Beggars Bush in 2004 [ST5506073677] by L. Houston, T.C.G. Rich and A. Robertson.
then at Leigh Woods in 2004 [ST5557474253] by L. Houston, T.C.G. Rich and A. Robertson.
then in 2005 [ST55567424] by P. Hilton
then in 2005 on The Plain and Abbott's Leigh [ST5673] by P. Hilton
then in 2007 on The Plain [ST57] by B. Morris
then found introduced at Leigh Woods [ST5573] in 2007 by Somerset Rare Plants Group
then in 2008 [ST57] by T.C.G. Rich
then in 2015 [ST5557174254] by Somerset Rare Plants Group & Bristol Naturalists' Society
then found introduced on The Plain in 2015 [ST55637313] by H.J. Crouch and Bristol Naturalists' Society
then found introduced at Leigh Woods in 2017 [ST5573] by C.M. Lovatt

[maybe get rid of recent records and just say a few specimens are known to exist in Leigh Woods. I wonder if some records from plantings around Bristol may really be S. aucuparia x S. intermedia = S.x liljeforsii?]

Sorbus aucuparia x S. scalaris = S. x proctoriana T.C.G. Rich (Proctor's Rowan / Rowan x Ladder-leaf Rowan) Very Rare Endemic Woodland Very rare. One bird-sown tree was discovered at the top edge of a quarry in Leigh Woods in 2005 by ? and identified by H.A. McAllister. In 2009 this half native hybrid was described new to science and named in commemoration of M.C.F. Proctor. Whilst interesting and always a bonus to add a new addition, the very evidence of this hybrid represents a worrying factor that foreign Whitebeams are being allowed to contaminate this internationally important Sorbus hot spot and arguably the most important botanical site in the British Isles. Fortunately in this instance the tree appears to be sterile but the very fact that there is no restriction on planting trees in the vicinity of the Gorge which have not been sourced from the gorge, is seriously disconcerting.
Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' (Yellow-berried Rowan / Mountain Ash 'Joseph Rock') - 5 records according to NBN - origin uncertain see International Dendrology Society A tree with uncertain horticultural origins which is occasionally planted in public green spaces around central Bristol. It is possibly a hybrid with Sorbus commixta as one of its parents. It is not known if our trees represent the true plant as some or all may really be the very similar cultivar 'Sunshine' which was raised from a nursery in 1968 as a seedling derived from 'Joseph Rock'. As a rule, only trees taken from cuttings of the original tree can be correctly named.
Sorbus sargentiana Koehne (Sargent's Rowan) - 1 record according to NBN A native of South Central China. One tree was recorded at Stockwood in 2000 by R. Bland?.

[possibly should go before S. aucuparia]

Sorbus commixta Hedl. (Japanese Rowan) - 1 record according to NBN A native of South East Asia. One tree was found at Henbury in 2006 by ?.

[possibly should go before S. aucuparia]

Sorbus vilmorinii C.K. Schneid. (Vilmorin's Rowan / Vilmorin's Mountain Ash) - 6 records according to NBN A native of South Central China and Tibet; sparsely planted for ornament in public green spaces over Bristol.
Sorbus glabriuscula McAll. (Hupeh Rowan) - 5 records according to NBN A native of South Central China; sometimes grown for ornament and very rarely escaping. It was recorded in West Bristol in 2000s by ? [BSBI record] and a mature bird-sown tree was found on the edge of scrub at Rodway Hill in 2022 by M.A.R.K. & C. Kitchen during a BNS meeting.

Subgenus SORARIA Májovský & Bernátová

Sorbus hybrida L. (Hedlundia hybrida (L.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Swedish Service-tree / Oak-leaf Mountain Ash / Finnish Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN A native of Scandinavia; recorded on the West side of the A38 at Falfield, South Gloucestershire in 2003 by ? and at Chew Stoke in 2018 by ?.
Sorbus pseudofennica E.F. Warb. (Hedlundia pseudofennica (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Arran Service-tree / Arran Cut-leaved Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN Recorded at Oldbury Court Estate in 2015 by ?.

[Highly suspicious - this is an endemic of Glen Catacol, Arran - data entry error or wrong identification. Possibly a mistake for S. hybrida?]

Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers. (Scandosorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Sennikov) (Swedish Whitebeam) / General Uncommon A native of the Baltic region. It is frequently planted in public green spaces and along streets and is widely bird-sown; becoming established in hedgerows, woodland and along roadsides.
Sorbus anglica Hedl. (Hedlundia anglica (Hedl.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (English Whitebeam) /- Woodland A nationally rare endemic which is confined to scattered localities of the Welsh Borders and South West England. Locally this species is mostly restricted to carboniferous limestone cliffs on both sides of the Avon Gorge. In 1990 a single (presumed to be planted) sapling was recorded above the saltmarsh at Sea Mills and has since become well established. A new population was also discovered at Walton-in-Gordano in 1990s? by ? [BSBI Record] and another at Easton-in-Gordano in 2002 - raising the possibility that it could be found elsewhere in other suitable habitats.
Sorbus mougeotii Soy.-Will. & Godr. (Hedlundia mougeotii (Soy.-Will. & Godr.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Mougeot's Whitebeam) General Very Rare A single planted tree was found at Eastville Park, Bristol in 2025 by D. Peters.

Subgenus ARIA Pers.

Sorbus vestita (Wall. ex G. Don) Lodd. (Griffitharia vestita (Wall. ex G. Don) Rushforth) (Himalayan Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN A native of the Himalayas; recorded at Lawrence Weston in 2000 by R. Bland?.
Sorbus thibetica (Cardot) Hand.-Mazz. (Griffitharia thibetica (Cardot) Rushforth) (Thibetan Whitebeam / Tibetan Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN A native of South-central China; found widely planted in car parks at Nailsea in 1999 by ?. An old tree was found overhanging a wall on the edge of a car park to The Vincent Retirement Home - opposite the private hospital on Redland Hill in 2023 by D. Peters.
Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz (Aria edulis (Willd.) M. Roem.) (planted in parks and gardens as S. aria 'Lutescens' (whitish-green early leaves), and S. aria 'Majestica' (with large leaves) (Common Whitebeam) / Woodland Localised in woods, rocky cliffs and old quarries on both Carboniferous and Jurassic limestone. It is also widely planted in public green spaces, nearly always as the cultivars: 'Lutescens' (with very whitish-green early leaves which sustain a more silvery appearance and a slightly more upright growing habit), and to a much lesser extent - 'Majestica' (with larger and broader, less silvery leaves which are more shiny on the upperside and a much more robust growing habit).
Sorbus aria x S. eminens = S. x robertsonii T.C.G. Rich (Aria × robertsonii (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Robertson's Whitebeam) - Extinct Endemic Described new to science in 2009 and named in honour of A. Robertson. The only cytologically confirmed tree - which grew on the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge above the Great Fault (below the western end of the Observatory), was destroyed by a rock fall in 2017. Emergency action craned the uprooted tree to Bristol Botanic Garden, where it grew for a few years before dying. Fortunately a branch was grafted onto another Whitebeam tree at Bristol Botanic Garden a few years prior. It is therefore technically extinct in the wild. Other similar-looking trees are present in the Avon Gorge but so far all have come back negative.

[Need to check with Libby. All this information is from memory of a conversation with Clive]

Sorbus aria x S. porrigentiformis = S. × pseudoporrigentiformis T.C.G. Rich & L. Houston (False Grey-leaved Whitebeam) Woodland Very Rare Found where the parents meet. Blaise Castle.
Sorbus aria x S. porrigentiformis = S. x avonensis T.C.G. Rich (Aria avonensis (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Sorbus avonensis T.C.G. Rich) (Avon Whitebeam / Avon Gorge Whitebeam) Very Rare Endemic First recognised as a distinct taxon in 2004 when discovered by T.C.G. Rich, A. Robertson and L. Houston during a study of whitebeams in the Avon Gorge. In 2009 it was described new to science. It occurs on both sides of the gorge and appears to be cloning itself like all other apomictic Sorbus species rather than being a fixed hybrid and because of this it should be raised to species status. About 47 trees are known at present.
Sorbus aria x S. bristoliensis = S. x houstoniae T.C.G. Rich (Karpatiosorbus houstoniae (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Houston's Whitebeam) - Very Rare Endemic Discovered in 2005 by L. Houston and described in honour of her in 2009. Only one tree exists - in an inaccessible without ropes situation on the Leigh Woods side of the Avon Gorge, adjacent to Nightingal Valley. A second smaller specimen also existed at the time of its discovery but got destroyed.
Sorbus aria x S. torminalis = S. x decipiens (Bechst.) Petz & G. Kirchn. (Karpatiosorbus hybrida (Borkh.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (S. x vagensis Wilmott) (Wye Whitebeam / False Service-tree - Stace) Woodland A very rare hybrid. Small numbers exist on Carboniferous limestone in the Kings Wood and Urchin Wood Complex and Weston Big Wood - where It was first discovered in 1968 by J.F. Archibald - which was the first confirmed record for Britain outside the Wye Valley.

[see Bristol Botany in 1978, p. 37]

Sorbus richii L. Houston (Aria richii (L. Houston) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Rich's Whitebeam) Very Rare Endemic - 2 BSBI records A very rare endemic. Found in 5 localities on cliffs and rocky woodland along the coast between Portishead and Clevedon. It was described in 2014 by L. Houston and named in honour of T.C.G. Rich.
Sorbus eminens E.F. Warb. (Aria eminens (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Round-leaved Whitebeam) - Woodland Very rare and confined mostly to carboniferous limestone in the Avon Gorge area but also occurs in scattered localities to the south-west of the region. The Bristol region holds the bulk of the population of this British endemic.

at Sandford Wood (discovered in 1989 by P.J.M. Nethercott), Worlebury Hill (discovered in 1991 by M.C.F. Proctor), Eastwood, Portishead (discovered in 1996 by P.J.M. Nethercott)

[more records on BSBI]

Sorbus porrigentiformis E.F. Warb. (Aria porrigentiformis (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Grey-leaved Whitebeam) /- Woodland Very rare. Restricted to woods and rock faces on carboniferous limestone; mostly in the Avon Gorge but occurs also at Blaise Castle, Wick Rocks, Weston Big Wood, Clevedon, Worlebury Hill and Burrington Combe.
Sorbus fayana L. Houston & T.C.G. Rich (Fay’s Whitebeam) Woodland Very Rare A recently described species. Discovered at Burrington Combe, North Somerset in 2003 and remaining unnamed for many years. At least 13 specimens are now known here and it has since also been found at Cheddar Gorge. It is named after Professor Michael F. Fay and is thought to have originated from a cross between a tetraploid S. porrigentiformis and diploid S. aria.

see

Sorbus leighensis T.C.G. Rich (Aria leighensis (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Leigh Woods Whitebeam) - Very Rare Endemic A very rare endemic; restricted to Carboniferous limestone cliffs and old quarries on the Leigh Woods side of the Avon Gorge. About 130 specimens are known to exist.
Sorbus whiteana T.C.G. Rich & L. Houston (Aria whiteana (T.C.G. Rich & L. Houston) Sennikov & Kurtto) (White's Whitebeam) /- Very Rare Very rare and almost a local endemic; restricted to the Avon Gorge and only otherwise found in the Wye Valley. It was described in 2006 and named in honour of J.W. White who had collected unnamed specimens from the Avon Gorge.
Sorbus wilmottiana E.F. Warb. (Aria wilmottiana (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Wilmott's Whitebeam) /- Woodland Very Rare Endemic Endemic to rocky carboniferous limestone slopes of the Avon Gorge, mostly on the Leigh Woods side. It was first described in 1967 and the total population is about 90 trees. The type tree on which the species was described was felled in 1969 "in the course of opening the view across the river" (Bristol Botany in 1969, p. 573). Fortunately the stump regenerated.

[Does the type tree still exist?]

Sorbus spectans L. Houston (Aria spectans (L. Houston) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Observatory Whitebeam) / Very Rare Endemic Very rare. Endemic to the Avon Gorge. It was described new to science in 2014 by L. Houston. It exists on both sides of the gorge but its main population is located below the Observatory - where it got its name from.
Sorbus rupicola (Syme) Hedl. (Aria rupicola (Syme) Mezhenskyj) (Rock Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN (4th record down)

[One 1975 record from the Avon Gorge near the observatory - a mistake for S. spectans?]

Sorbus graeca (Lodd. ex Spach) S. Schauer (Aria graeca (Spach) M. Roem.) (Greek Whitebeam / Fan-leaved Service-tree)? - identification uncertain (check!) Woodland Several trees discovered at Old Sneyd Park in 1994 by P.J.M. Nethercott were provisionally given this name and are assumed to have been planted.

[This needs working out. Libby didn't seem to know anything about them when I asked.]

Subgenus TORMARIA Májovský & Bernátová

Sorbus latifolia (Lam.) Pers. (Karpatiosorbus latifolia (Lam.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Broad-leaved Whitebeam / Fontainbleau Whitebeam) - General A very rare introduction; found established in a few spots in old quarries on both sides of the Avon Gorge where they are believed to have derived from planted specimens on Clifton Down. First recorded in 1957 by P.J.M. Nethercott.
Sorbus devoniensis E.F. Warb. (Karpatiosorbus devoniensis (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Devon Whitebeam) - 1 record according to BSBI This British endemic with its core range around Devon and south-eastern Ireland, was found as an introduction in the Avon Gorge in 2000s by ? [BSBI record].
Sorbus bristoliensis Wilmott (Karpatiosorbus bristoliensis (Wilmott) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Bristol Whitebeam) / Woodland Very Rare Endemic Local endemic; occurring on both sides of the Avon Gorge. Over 330 trees are now known to exist. In the Flora of the Bristol Region its population was estimated at being less than 150, meaning it has more than doubled since 2000. It was first collected from Nightingale Valley, Leigh Woods in 1854 by M.M. Atwood and the original tree still exists. It has also been well distributed in private collections.
Sorbus croceocarpa P.D. Sell (Karpatiosorbus croceocarpa (P.D. Sell) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Orange Whitebeam / Orange-berried Whitebeam) - Woodland A rare introduction found established in small numbers in the Avon Gorge and Leigh Woods where they are thought to have derived from planted trees in Old Sneyd Park. First recorded in 1957 by P.J.M. Nethercott. A large tree was also recorded off Nore Road, Portishead in 1999 - also by P.J.M. Nethercott.
Sorbus sellii T.C.G. Rich (Karpatiosorbus sellii (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto) Sorbus decipiens (NBN) (Sharp-toothed Whitebeam / Sell's Whitebeam) - General Very rare introduction found only in the Great Quarry on the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge where a few specimens persist - originally derived from planted saplings which were first noticed in 1956 by P.J.M. Nethercott.

Subgenus TORMINARIA (DC.) K. Koch

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz (Torminalis glaberrima (Gand.) Sennikov & Kurtto) (Wild Service-tree / Chequers / Checker-tree) / Woodland A scarce species of ancient woodland and old hedgerows; scattered over the region but occurring mostly in the Avon Gorge and to the north of the region. Usually only found as single trees.

List:

Sorbus domestica L. (Cormus domestica (L.) Spach - Kew, GBIF) (Service-tree / True Service-tree / Sorb-tree) Woodland
Sorbus aucuparia L. (ssp. aucuparia - Kew, GBIF) (Rowan / Mountain Ash) / Woodland
Sorbus aucuparia x S. aria = S. x thuringiaca (Nyman) Schönach (Hedlundia thuringiaca (Nyman) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Bastard Service Tree / German Service-tree - Stace) /- Woodland
Sorbus aucuparia x S. scalaris = S. x proctoriana T.C.G. Rich (Proctor's Rowan / Rowan x Ladder-leaf Rowan)
Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' (Yellow-berried Rowan / Mountain Ash 'Joseph Rock') - 5 records according to NBN - origin uncertain see International Dendrology Society
Sorbus sargentiana Koehne (Sargent's Rowan) - 1 record according to NBN [possibly should go before S. aucuparia]
Sorbus commixta Hedl. (Japanese Rowan) - 1 record according to NBN [possibly should go before S. aucuparia]
Sorbus vilmorinii C.K. Schneid. (Vilmorin's Rowan / Vilmorin's Mountain Ash) - 6 records according to NBN
Sorbus glabriuscula McAll. (Hupeh Rowan) - 5 records according to NBN
Sorbus hybrida L. (Hedlundia hybrida (L.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Swedish Service-tree / Oak-leaf Mountain Ash / Finnish Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN
Sorbus pseudofennica E.F. Warb. (Hedlundia pseudofennica (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Arran Service-tree / Arran Cut-leaved Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN
Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers. (Scandosorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Sennikov - Kew, GBIF) (Swedish Whitebeam) / General
Sorbus anglica Hedl. (Hedlundia anglica (Hedl.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (English Whitebeam) /- Woodland
Sorbus mougeotii Soy.-Will. & Godr. (Hedlundia mougeotii (Soy.-Will. & Godr.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Mougeot's Whitebeam) General
Sorbus vestita (Wall. ex G.Don) Lodd. (Griffitharia vestita (Wall. ex G. Don) Rushforth - Kew, GBIF) (Himalayan Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN
Sorbus thibetica (Cardot) Hand.-Mazz. (Griffitharia thibetica (Cardot) Rushforth - Kew, GBIF) (Thibetan Whitebeam / Tibetan Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN
Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz (Aria edulis (Willd.) M. Roem. - Kew, GBIF) (planted in parks and gardens as S. aria 'Lutescens' (whitish-green early leaves), and S. aria 'Majestica' (with large leaves) (Common Whitebeam) / Woodland
Sorbus aria x S. eminens = S. x robertsonii T.C.G. Rich (Aria × robertsonii (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Robertson's Whitebeam) -
Sorbus aria x S. porrigentiformis = S. × pseudoporrigentiformis T.C.G. Rich & L. Houston (False Grey-leaved Whitebeam) Woodland
Sorbus aria x S. porrigentiformis = S. x avonensis T.C.G. Rich (Stace) (Aria avonensis (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) Sorbus avonensis T.C.G. Rich (NBN) (Avon Whitebeam / Avon Gorge Whitebeam)
Sorbus aria x S. bristoliensis = S. x houstoniae T.C.G. Rich (Karpatiosorbus houstoniae (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Houston's Whitebeam) -
Sorbus aria x S. torminalis = S. x decipiens (Bechst.) Petz & G. Kirchn. (Stace) (Karpatiosorbus hybrida (Borkh.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) S. x tomentella Gand. (NBN) S. x vagensis Wilmott (old name) (Wye Whitebeam / False Service-tree - Stace) Woodland
Sorbus richii L. Houston (Aria richii (L. Houston) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Rich's Whitebeam) - 2 BSBI records
Sorbus eminens E.F. Warb. (Aria eminens (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Round-leaved Whitebeam) - Woodland
Sorbus porrigentiformis E.F. Warb. (Aria porrigentiformis (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Grey-leaved Whitebeam) /- Woodland
Sorbus fayana L. Houston & T.C.G. Rich (Fay’s Whitebeam) Woodland
Sorbus leighensis T.C.G. Rich (Aria leighensis (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Leigh Woods Whitebeam) -
Sorbus whiteana T.C.G. Rich & L. Houston (Aria whiteana (T.C.G. Rich & L. Houston) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (White's Whitebeam) /-
Sorbus wilmottiana E.F. Warb. (Aria wilmottiana (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Wilmott's Whitebeam) /- Woodland
Sorbus spectans L. Houston (Aria spectans (L. Houston) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Observatory Whitebeam) /
Sorbus rupicola (Syme) Hedl. (Aria rupicola (Syme) Mezhenskyj - Kew, GBIF) (Rock Whitebeam) - 1 record according to NBN (4th record down)
Sorbus graeca (Lodd. ex Spach) S. Schauer (Aria graeca (Spach) M. Roem. - Kew, GBIF) (Greek Whitebeam / Fan-leaved Service-tree)? - identification uncertain (check!) Woodland
Sorbus latifolia (Lam.) Pers. (Karpatiosorbus latifolia (Lam.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Broad-leaved Whitebeam / Fontainbleau Whitebeam) - General
Sorbus devoniensis E.F. Warb. (Karpatiosorbus devoniensis (E.F. Warb.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Devon Whitebeam) - 1 record according to BSBI
Sorbus bristoliensis Wilmott (Karpatiosorbus bristoliensis (Wilmott) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Bristol Whitebeam) / Woodland
Sorbus croceocarpa P.D. Sell (Karpatiosorbus croceocarpa (P.D. Sell) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Orange Whitebeam / Orange-berried Whitebeam) - Woodland
Sorbus sellii T.C.G. Rich (Stace) (Karpatiosorbus sellii (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) Sorbus decipiens (NBN) (Sharp-toothed Whitebeam / Sell's Whitebeam) - General
Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz (Torminalis glaberrima (Gand.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Wild Service-tree / Chequers / Checker-tree) / Woodland

Species added by me:

Sorbus mougeotii Soy.-Will. & Godr. (Hedlundia mougeotii (Soy.-Will. & Godr.) Sennikov & Kurtto - Kew, GBIF) (Mougeot's Whitebeam) /

Species which could occur:

Sorbus aucuparia x S. intermedia = S. x liljeforsii T.C.G. Rich (Scandosorbus liljeforsii (T.C.G. Rich) Sennikov - Kew, GBIF) (Rowan x Swedish Whitebeam)
Sorbus porrigentiformis x S. torminalis (Aria porrigentiformis x Torminalis glaberrima) (Grey-leaved Whitebeam x Wild Service-tree)