ROSACEAE - - Rose Family

Amelanchier arborea (Michaux f.) Fernald — Downy Serviceberry

Downy Serviceberry or Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea) is usually a large shrub or small tree but may attain a maximum of 50 feet and a diameter of 2 feet. The leaves are about 2 1/2 inches long, widely elliptical or broadest above the middle; sharply serrate, rounded or heart-shaped at the base; smooth above and also below except along the veins. The flowers occur in conspicuous masses before or as the leaves unfold and at the time in spring (April and May) when the Shad ascend the New England rivers to spawn; hence the common name. If any of the fruit is left by the birds (40 species eat it) and other animals including the skunk, red fox, raccoon, and bear, it matures in late June (also known as Juneberry) and is an edible berrylike purplish pome.

Habitat:

Dry to moist forests, seepage and depression wetlands.

The native range of Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].

The Georgia range of Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)

Zomlefer, W.B., J.R. Carter, & D.E. Giannasi. 2014 (and ongoing). The Atlas of Georgia Plants. University of Georgia Herbarium (Athens, Georgia) and Valdosta State University Herbarium (Valdosta, Georgia). Available at: http://www.georgiaherbaria.org/.