Checkertree
Torminalis glaberrima
Synonyms: Sorbus torminalis, Torminalis orientalis, Hahnia torminalis, Torminaria vulgaris, Sorbus semitorminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. kissii, Pyrus torminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. angustifolia, Sorbus torminalis f. macrophylla, Sorbus torminalis var. semitorminalis, Sorbus torminalis subsp. brachyloba, Sorbus torminalis f. longiloba, Sorbus torminalis f. stenoloba, Mespilus torminalis, Sorbus orientalis, Sorbus torminalis f. brevifolia, Sorbus torminalis f. pomoidea, Torminaria clusii, Sorbus torminalis var. mollis, Sorbus torminalis f. budensis, Sorbus torminalis f. microphylla, Sorbus torminalis f. rotundata, Sorbus torminalis f. cuneata, Sorbus torminalis f. platyloba, Pyrus torminalis var. pinnatifida, Pyrus torminalis var. mollis, Pyrus torminalis var. glaberrima, Sorbus torminalis var. obtusa, Sorbus torminalis f. perincisa, Sorbus torminalis f. dolichocarpa, Sorbus torminalis f. pendula, Sorbus torminalis subsp. perincisa, Sorbus torminalis var. kabylica, Azarolus torminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. grosseserrata, Sorbus torminalis f. pinnatifida, Sorbus torminalis f. intermedia, Sorbus torminalis var. orientalis, Sorbus torminalis subsp. kissii, Sorbus perincisa, Lazarolus torminalis, Aria torminalis, Torminalis clusii, Pyrenia torminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. longifolia, Sorbus torminalis f. microcarpa, Sorbus torminalis f. semitorminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. araliifolia, Sorbus torminalis f. macrocarpa, Sorbus torminalis f. sphaerocarpa, Sorbus torminalis f. brachyloba, Sorbus torminalis f. obtecta, Sorbus torminalis f. platyphylla, Sorbus torminalis f. breviloba, Sorbus torminalis f. priszteri, Torminaria torminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. mollis, Sorbus guadarramica, Sorbus torminalis var. caucasica, Crataegus torminalis, Sorbus torminalis var. perincisa, Pyrus septiloba, Pyrus torminalis var. perincisa, Pyrus torminalis f. mollis, Sorbus torminalis f. obtusa, Sorbus glaberrima, Malus torminalis, Sorbus torminalis f. glaberrima, Sorbus torminalis f. penzesiana, Sorbus torminalis var. kissii, Sorbus torminalis f. domokosiana, Sorbus torminalis f. kerenyiana, Sorbus torminalis f. pisifera, Sorbus torminalis f. inaequalis, Sorbus torminalis var. pinnatifida, Torminaria clusii var. pubescens, Sorbus torminalis f. genuina, Sorbus torminalis f. orientalis, Sorbus latifolia var. semitorminalis, Aria torminalis f. mollis
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Botanical Description
Torminalis glaberrima (wild service tree, chequer tree), the only species of the monotypic genus Torminalis, is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the rose family (Rosaceae) reaching about 25–30 m tall with a trunk up to about 1.3 m in diameter. Young bark is smooth and grey, becoming scaly and flaking away in squarish plates with age. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, 6–14 cm long, with five to nine acute lobes—the basal pair spreading and the upper pairs more forward-pointing—the margins finely toothed, and turning rich yellow to deep red-brown in autumn. Hermaphrodite, insect-pollinated white flowers 10–15 mm across with twenty creamy stamens are borne in flattish corymbs in late spring. The fruit is a globose to ovoid pome 10–15 mm in diameter, greenish ripening to russet brown and patterned with pale lenticel dots; the mature fruits, known as "chequers," become palatable after bletting. Native to Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia from Britain east to the Caucasus and Alborz mountains, it grows in mixed deciduous woodland on calcareous or clay soils.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.