| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Mountain Ash (The), | | |
or “Rowantree,” botanically called Pyrus aucupar a, which does not belong to the same family of plants as the fraxnus, or Common Ash. The Mountain Ash is icosandria, but the Common Ash is diandria. The Mountain Ash is pentagyna, but the Common Ash is monogyna. The Mountain Ash is of the Natural Order rosac æ, but the common Ash is of the Natural Order sepiaræ; yet the two trees resemble each other in many respects. The Rowan or Rown-tree is called in Westmoreland the “Wiggen-tree.” It was greatly venerated by the Druids, and was called the “Witchen” by the early Britons, because it was supposed to ward off witches. | 1 |
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| “Their spells were vain. The hags returned |
| To their queen in sorrowful mood, |
| Crying that witches have no power |
| Where thrives the Rowan-tree wood.” |
| Laidley Worm of Spindleston Heughs (a ballad) | |
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