[5][6][7] Hedlundia hybrida is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 10–15 m (33–49 ft) tall with a stout trunk up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter, and grey bark.

The crown is columnar or conic in young trees, becoming rounded with age, with branches angled upwards.

[5][7] It is a tetraploid species of hybrid origin between the European rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and the Swedish whitebeam (Scandosorbus intermedia),[6] the latter being a tetraploid triple hybrid between S. aucuparia, the wild service tree (Torminalis glaberrima), and the common whitebeam (Aria edulis) or one of its close relatives.

Closely related Hedlundia meinichii is a triploid or tetraploid species of hybrid origin between H. hybrida and S. aucuparia[10][11] and differs in having the basal four to six pairs of lobes cut right to the midrib as separate leaflets.

[5] Hedlundia hybrida is grown as an ornamental tree in northern Europe, and is locally naturalised in the British Isles.