This genus includes the rowans (mountain ash) and whitebeams, and this present group consists of the rowans, technically known as the Aucuparia section. These are small, graceful trees or shrubs with attractive foliage, which in the rowans is usually pinnate, toothed or lobed and provides good autumn colour. In spring or early summer they produce dense corymbs of frothy white or pinkish flowers, which are followed by fruit varying in colour depending on the species. Many species are apomictic, i.e. self-fertile, and so seedlings are clones of the parent. For this reason there are many species, groups of which can be similar to one another.

Sorbus khumbuensis is eventually quite a large rowan, but it doesn't grow too quickly. It has 10 pairs of pointed, narrow leaflets on each leaf. It has big clusters of fruit which at first ripen red, and then change to pink and then to white, flushed pink. As this is taking place the foliage changes from green to dark red, almost maroon. The fruit remain for a long time, long after the leaves have fallen. This species is seed raised but tends to be multi stemmed.