Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

Features and Characteristics

Amelanchier arborea, commonly called downy serviceberry, is a deciduous, early-flowering, large shrub or small tree which typically grows 15-25′ tall in cultivation but can reach 40′ in the wild. A Missouri native plant that occurs most often in open rocky woods, wooded slopes, and bluffs. Features 5-petaled, showy, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters which appear before the leaves emerge in early spring. The finely-toothed, obovate leaves exhibit good fall color. Flowers give way to small, round green berries which turn red and finally mature to a dark purplish-black in early summer. Edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are often used in jams, jellies and pies. Amelanchiers are commonly called Juneberries.

Genus name comes from a French provincial name for Amelanchier ovalis a European plant in this genus.

Specific epithet means growing in a tree-like manner.