Some objects surround us all our lives and, you must admit, we are so used to their existence that we even stop paying attention to them without thinking about completely reasonable questions.
For example, do you know how many years mountain ash, viburnum or apple tree live? Indeed, if these trees adorn our yard or garden this year, can we count on their originality and shadow in the next? Or, say, after 10, or even 15 years?
This article will focus on one of the most traditional trees in central Russia. Readers will learn in detail about how long the mountain ash has actually lived, what are the features of its cultivation and why these bright fruits have been popular in folk medicine since ancient times.
Section 1. Mountain ash. Features of growth and development
First of all, it should be noted that in everyday life this plant is often called red mountain ash, forest mountain ash or just ripple. The last name is perhaps the most interesting, although it can be explained quite simply: elderly villagers always considered it, and still continue to consider it, the most suitable food for a small bird - hazel grouse.
Before we talk about how long the mountain ash has lived, we note that the representative of the fauna itself grows in the form of a tree, and can reach a height of fifteen meters, although bushy varieties are also sometimes found.
It is quite easy to recognize the mountain ash - by the smooth gray bark, thick crown and characteristic bright red berries.
According to experts, under favorable conditions, mountain ash has been living for about 100 years, but some trees may well survive to more than two hundred. Such cases were recorded more than once.
Young branches of mountain ash are grayish-red, slightly pubescent, with fluffy large buds. White mountain ash flowers are represented by umbrella inflorescences.
Finding places where mountain ash grows is also easy. As a rule, these are forest glades, understory, parks and gardens. You can meet this Russian beauty along the roads. Although in this case the answer to the question of how many years the mountain ash tree has been living will not be so simple. Poor environmental conditions initially adversely affect the leaves of the plant, and then on the fruits.
As a rule, it begins to bloom in early May-June. The berries are red-orange, round, pea-sized. It tastes bitter and tart. Ripen by September and remain on the branches until late winter.
True, it should be noted that the bitterness and astringency of the berries is significantly lost immediately after the first frost.
Section 2. What is useful mountain ash
We found out how old the mountain ash lives: about 100. And this means that if such a plant appeared next to you, it means that it will be able to benefit more than one generation.
Vitamins, which are part of the fruit, help strengthen the nervous system, eliminate the general weakness of the body, irritability and insomnia. Berries are also used in folk medicine as a diuretic, hemostatic and multivitamin.
And they are also actively using fruits in the manufacture of liquors, vodka, liquors and soft drinks. Marmalade, jam, jam, jelly, marshmallow and sweets are also prepared.
Section 3. Interesting facts about mountain ash
Few people realize that, despite their small size, rowan berries are rich in vitamins and acids. And their composition includes sorbic acid - a powerful antiseptic.
Despite the fact that mountain ash is widely used in folk medicine, the pharmaceutical industry has so far failed to create a single medicine based on its fruits.
It should be noted that this plant is able to relieve stress in a person, for this he needs to lean his back against the tree for a short time and close his eyes.