Serviceberry

SERVICEBERRY
Amelanchier pallida
ROSE Family

Also called shadblow, saskatoon, and Juneberry. When the serviceberry is in bloom, it is indeed a beautiful shrub. Five narrow white petals are usually twisted to give a somewhat ragged appearance to each individual flower. The oval leaves, from 1 to 2 inches long, are roughly toothed, especially on the upper half.

The round, berry-like fruits are a deep blue color, with a whitish bloom or coating. Botanically, they are similar to apples, with bits of the flower still attached to the top of each fruit. Although many modern tastebuds consider the fruits too mealy and sweet, explorers and miners found them a welcome addition to their otherwise bland and limited food supplies. Early settlers learned to make fine jellies, jams, pies, and wines from the serviceberry. Many Indians of western North America held the plant in high esteem and the berries were a staple in their diet. Dried berries were pressed into small cakes, which were later added to stews and soups for extra flavoring. The dried berries were also pounded into dried meat for carrying on long trips. The small fruits are now eaten mainly by wild animals --pheasants, grouse, coyotes, and rabbits all feast on them.

In some parts of its range, serviceberry grows to be a shrub some 15 to 20 feet tall. However, on the dry rocky slopes and sunny canyons of the Sierra, it is generally only a few feet high and resembles a creeping bush more than an upright shrub.

Range: Widespread in northern and western North America.