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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Amelanchier alnifolia
Phenology Observation Sheet for Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

COMMON NAME

Western serviceberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Amelanchier alnifolia

ALSO KNOWN AS

Juneberry, Saskatoon berry

Plant family

Rose (Rosaceae)

Plant group

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Western serviceberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree with roundish leaves. Distinctive teeth are found around at least half of the leaf. The 5-petaled white flowers are found in clusters near the ends of branches.
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OBSERVERS
490+
OBSERVATIONS
!

Identification hints

Western serviceberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree with roundish leaves. Distinctive teeth are found around at least half of the leaf. The 5-petaled white flowers are found in clusters near the ends of branches.
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Did you know?

Serviceberry is considered a valuable browse species for deer and elk in winter habitat areas. The human uses for this shrub are seemingly endless. It was essential to many Native peoples because not only are the sweet, juicy berries good fresh but they dry very well (like raisins) and save well throughout the winter. They can be dried individually or in cakes.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Alaska , California , Colorado , Iowa , Idaho , Minnesota , Montana , North Dakota , Nebraska , Nevada , Oregon , South Dakota , Utah , Washington , Wyoming
HABITAT
Often associated with water. Found along hillsides, rocky slopes, stream and roadside banks. Open woods and shrublands, grasslands, and forests at both low and montane elevations.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Alternate leaf arrangement; ovate to round shape, 0.35 to 1.97 in long by 0.31 to 1.77 in wide (9 to 50 mm by 8 to 45 mm). Nearly hairless, generally toothed (serrate) beyond middle of leaf, with a blunt tip. The leaves have distinctive parallel veins coming off at an acute angle from the midrib of the leaf. In the fall the leaves turn a reddish brown before falling off.
Flowers
White to ivory flowers are found in leafy clusters near the ends of the branches. The flower has 5 long white, slender petals that create a star-like shape around a star-like yellowish green center. Flowers bloom in the spring while new leaves are still forming.
Fruits
Western serviceberry fruits are smooth, purple-black and slightly waxy, berries. They are approximately 6-11 mm long.
Bark
The bark is gray-brown to red-brown and the twigs are generally short.

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