Torminalis

Torminalis is a genus of plants in the rose family, Rosaceae. The genus was formerly included within the genus Sorbus as the section Torminaria, but the simple-leafed species traditionally classified in Sorbus are now considered to form a separate monophyletic group. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Torminalis glaberrima, commonly known as wild service tree, chequers, and checker tree. This tree is native to Europe, parts of northern Africa and western Asia.

==Description== Torminalis glaberrima is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to about 30 m (100 ft) tall, with a trunk up to 1.3 m in diameter. The bark is smooth and grey when young, becoming scaly and flaking away in squarish plates to reveal darker brown layers when about 30 years old. Young twigs are lightly hairy, quickly becoming glabrous, and brownish in colour. Winter identification is made easier by the buds, which are green and pea-sized with obvious brown-edged scales. thumb|Wild service tree has characteristically square flaky patches of bark.