Plant Details

Sorbus latifolia

French Hales

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Sorbus latifolia.

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Common names

4 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • French Hales
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Brede lijsterbes
  • Breedbladige meelbes
French
  • Sorbier des oiseleurs
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Sorbus latifolia
Accepted name (Kew): Aria latifolia (Lam.) M.Roem. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Sorbus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: French Hales

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 14.00 m
Spread: 4–8 m

RHS ultimate size range in UK growing conditions; cultivar, rootstock and pruning affect size.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist, Well-drained

Preferred growing conditions. Moisture and drainage are different properties; well-drained soil is not necessarily dry.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
None

Description

Aria latifolia, also treated as Sorbus latifolia or Karpatiosorbus latifolia, is a deciduous tree with broad leaves and brownish-orange autumn fruit.

Sources [2] [3] [1]

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Crown

Crown shape: Narrow pyramidal
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Sorbus latifolia (Lam.) Pers., name ID 2992068, row 855654; Sorbus latifolia K.Koch, name ID 2992069, row 855659; Sorbus latifolia Syme, name ID 2992070, row 855662; Aria latifolia (Lam.) M.Roem., name ID 2942040, row 1433372; Aria devoniensis (E.F.Warb.) Mosyakin, Fedor. & McNeill, name ID 3323443, row 758739
    • Description: wcvp_names.csv; name, author, status, accepted_plant_name_id and hybrid_formula columns; see per-proposal row records where provided
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 855534; name ID 2991335; Sorbus L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Horticultural Society Sorbus latifolia | broad-leaved whitebeam
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Foliage; Cultivation; Potentially harmful, where applicable
    • Soil moisture: Growing conditions: Moisture; Cultivation
    • Spread: Size > Max Spread
    • Foliage: Botanical details > Foliage

    Source checked on .

  3. International Dendrology Society, Trees and Shrubs Online Karpatiosorbus latifolia
    Supports: Description
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Species account; botanical description and cited horticultural observations

    Source checked on .