Sorbus alnifolia is a slender, upright tree reaching 12m in height and having smooth bark. The simple ovate leaves have a toothed margin and up to 12 pairs of distinct parallel veins. A member of the Rosaceae (rose family), the leaves resemble those of beech and alder, which belong to the beech family, Fagaceae, and the specific epithet alnifolia refers to this similarity. In spring dense corymbs to 7.5cm across of pure white flowers are produced, and in autumn round or ovoid fruits mature to peach-pink, deep pink or red. In the wild S. alnifolia occurs in temperate mountainous forests of China, Japan and Korea. Although this species has been in cultivation since 1892 when it was introduced by the German nurseryman Späth it is seldom grown in gardens.