Amelanchier sp.

Amelanchier sp.

Amelanchier sp.
SERVICEBERRY
Rosaceae
North Temperate

Location: map coordinates Q-16 (south side of Conrad Hall),
N 39°11'7'' W 75°32'39''

Planting history: presently unknown.

Description:

small deciduous tree
etymology: Amelanchier from the old French common name
called serviceberry probably because it bloomed when Appalachian mountain roads became passable in Spring, and preachers could come to resume services. Also called shadbush (flowers in early spring, when shad migrate up rivers), and juneberry (fruits in June)
leaves simple, serrate (toothed), alternate
flowers white, delicate; appear very early in spring before the leaves
fruits small pomes (apple-like), red/purple, edible; eaten in pies etc., but take long time to ripen and often eaten by birds
bark gray and smooth (sometimes scaly)
grown as ornamental
taxonomy confused by hybridization, polyploidy, apomixis
genus Amelanchier native to North America, northern Africa, Europe, Asia
several species are native to Delaware