SafePlants

Amelanchier bartramiana (Mountain Serviceberry)

Amelanchier bartramiana, commonly known as mountain serviceberry, mountain shadbush, Bartram's serviceberry, mountain juneberry, Bartram juneberry, oblongfruit serviceberry, or northern Juneberry, is a deciduous shrub appreciated for its spring blooms, summer fruit, and autumn foliage.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant produces berry-like fruit.
• The plant's leaves can vary in shape, from oval to oblong, and typically feature fine teeth along the edges.

Considerations for Children

• This plant produces berry-like fruit.
• The plant's leaves can vary in shape, from oval to oblong, and typically feature fine teeth along the edges.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Amelanchier bartramiana (Tausch) M. Roem.
• Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
• Synonym: Amelanchier oligocarpa

Distribution and Habitat

This species is native to North America and can be found in Piedmont woods.

Morphological Characteristics

• Growth Habit: Deciduous shrub, growing up to 3 meters (approximately 10 feet). Forms thickets.
• Leaves: Alternate, simple, oval to oblong, 5-13 cm long. Range from oval to round with fine teeth along the edge.
• Flowers: Snowy white blossoms. White flowers in pendulous racemes.
• Fruit: Berry-like, longer than thick, dark purplish-black when ripe (July), 6-10mm, sweetish, with 4-10 seeds/fruit.
• Bark: Smooth, gray to light gray-silver.

Ecological Role

• The fruits are a valuable food source for birds. Orioles and other bird species eat the fruit of Amelanchier species. The serviceberry fruit is noted as being a favored summer fruit for birds.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Birds readily consume the berries.

Quirky Facts

• The fruit tastes similar to blueberry.
• Serviceberry fruit has been used by Aboriginal peoples and is described as one of the most edible of all serviceberries, suitable for jams and pies.
• The plant is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender.
• The fruits are rich in iron and copper.