Rowan

Sorbus aucuparia A member of the rose family (Rosaceae), and also known as "quickbeam" and "mountain ash", this hardy tree is widely planted in cities in the US and Europe because of its sturdy resistance to air pollution and other environmental abuse. Its white or pink flowers in the spring and its bright orange-red autumn berries (which often last right through the winter if the birds don't eat them all) make the rowan tree extremely popular as an ornamental.

But wizards on Earth have more reasons to appreciate rowan trees than just their aesthetic qualities. The rowan has a long history in bardic tradition as one of the major trees of light, deeply affiliated with the Sun (and by reflection, the Moon) and in resonance with light in general and the basic forces involved with sunlight and moonlight.

Rowan trees are often found in the vicinity of sites used for [Group wizardry | group wizardries]. Whether they have been planted there, or have just found their way themselves is often a vexed questoin, best solved by asking the trees themselves...but they are not always forthcoming about answers, having their own agendas in the world, and the wise wizard won't press the question too hard and risk violating the rowans' sense of privacy.

What is certain is that the rowan species are friendly to the Powers that Be, and to the Art and the wizards who practice it -- hence one of its Celtic names, fid na nDruaid or "the wizard's tree".