Karpatiosorbus devoniensis
Introduction '''''Karpatiosorbus devoniensis''''' is known by the English name of '''Devon whitebeam''' and formally as '''Broad-leaved Whitebeam'''. When the fruit was reported as sold at Barnstaple Pannier Market  the name '''French Eagles''' was used, apart from 1929 when they were reported as '''eagle-berries'''. When the trees were reported as seen growing wild on botanical walks they were referred to as '''French Hails''' (once each as French hail and French Hales). '''Broad-leaved white-beam''', which was the common name until Devon Whitebeam took over, was used once in 1907.The term ''Otmast'' was used once as a pet name, as its true identity was not known. The term ''sorb apple'' has been used recently but completely without foundation, it is another example of a name being attributed to the wrong species. It is a species of whitebeam, trees and shrubs in the family Rosaceae. It is endemic to the British Isles, growing wild in areas of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and south-east Ireland as a native and north-east Ireland as an introduction.It probably did not exist before the last ice age, arising from a hybrid between ''Sorbus torminalis'', the wild service tree, and another species of whitebeam. It is a close relative of the no parking whitebeam, ''Karpatiosorbus admonitor'', and two other British natives and around 40 species in Europe.
Description It will form a deciduous tree to about 12 metres height.The leaves are entire, lobed, dark green above, the underside has a dense layer of grey hairs.It flowers at the end of May, they are white with 5 petals.The fruits ripen at the end of October. They are orange-brown to brown, and edible. ''Sorbus devoniensis'' fruit
Locations found * along the River Taw and River Torridge* Roborough Down near Plymouth is where the type specimen was taken* Little Haldon, at Bishopsteignton along the Postman's Path* Boyton, Cornwall* South East and North East Ireland (rarely)* Halsdon Nature Reserve near Great Torrington managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust - a small tree* Uppacott Wood Nature reserve between Barnstaple and Bideford also managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, has a few trees* Watergate Bridge near Great Torrington, grid ref SS468175.The plant growing on the old platform has been removed* Leigh Cross, Zeal Monachorum* Watergate, Horwood* Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, WA, USA. Some plants in cultivation are incorrectly named so this should be verified* Between Martinhoe and Lynton in heath and woodland. Importantly not in the East Lyn valley as those plants are Sorbus admonitor
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