Sorbus aucuparia is a species of fruit tree in the rose family.

The tree grows on almost all the territory of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Ural, and the Far North as well as in Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and other countries. It can be found in the understory or woods with conifers and larches. Besides, Sorbus aucuparia can grow in forest opening, at the edge of forests and among shrubs. The tree can grow on infertile soil.

In the ancient times, roman was a very important tree for Slavic tribes as well as for Celtic and Scandinavian peoples. At that time people believed that this tree had some magic power. They tied its twigs with a red ribbon in the form of a cross and fixed it to their clothes to be protected from an evil eye. Rabin was also widely used in wedding rites, they put its leaves into shoes of a bride and a bridegroom to bring luck. A tree was usually planted near houses. Nowadays it is used in landscape design to decorate parks and gardens as the tree is undemanding and can withstand frost. Even today to destroy or accidentally damage a tree considers a bad sign.

Sorbus aucuparia usually has a height of 12 m. It is always an alone standing tree and does not form thickets. The bark of grown trees is light grey in color and smooth by touch. It starts to blow in May – early June. At that time, the flowers have an unpleasant smell. Berries ripen in late August – early September.