''Karpatiosorbus devoniensis'' is known by the English name of Devon whitebeam and formally as Broad-leaved Whitebeam. When the fruit was reported as sold at Barnstaple Pannier Market the name French Eagles was used, apart from 1929 when they were reported as eagle-berries. When the trees were reported as seen growing wild on botanical walks they were referred to as French Hails (once each as French hail and French Hales). Broad-leaved white-beam, which was the common name until Devon Whitebeam took over, was used once in 1907. The term ''Otmast'' was used once as a pet name, as its true identity was not known. The term ''sorb apple'' has been used recently but completely without foundation, it is another example of a name being attributed to the wrong species. It is a species of whitebeam, trees and shrubs in the family Rosaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to the British Isles, growing wild in areas of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and south-east Ireland as a native and north-east Ireland as an introduction. It probably did not exist before the last ice age, arising from a Hybrid (biology), hybrid between ''Sorbus torminalis'', the wild service tree, and another species of whitebeam. It is a close relative of the Karpatiosorbus admonitor, Watersmeet whitebeam, ''Karpatiosorbus admonitor'', and two other British natives and around 40 species in Europe.

Description

It will form a deciduous tree to about 12 metres height. The leaves are entire, lobed, dark green above, the underside has a dense layer of grey hairs. It flowers at the end of May, they are white with 5 petals. The fruit ripen at the end of October. They are orange-brown to brown, and edible.

Locations found

* along the River Taw and River Torridge * Roborough Down near Plymouth is where the type specimen was taken * Little Haldon, at Bishopsteignton along the Postman's Path * Boyton, Cornwall * South East and North East Ireland (rarely) * Halsdon Nature Reserve near Great Torrington managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust - a small tree * Uppacott Wood Nature reserve between Barnstaple and Bideford also managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, has a few trees * Watergate Bridge near Great Torrington, grid ref SS468175. The plant growing on the old platform has been removed * Leigh Cross, Zeal Monachorum * Watergate, Horwood * Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, WA, USA. Some plants in cultivation are incorrectly named so this should be verified * Between Martinhoe and Lynton in heath and woodland. Importantly not in the East Lyn valley as those plants are Sorbus admonitor

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q41521690, from2=Q5479345 Karpatiosorbus, devoniensis Flora of Great Britain Flora of Ireland Taxobox binomials not recognized by IUCN