Amelanchier spicata

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A spreading shrub. It grows 2 m high. It produces suckers freely, forming thickets. The new leaves are very downy at first. The flowers are slightly pink. The fruit are purplish-black. Fruit are about 8 mm across.

There are about 25-30 Amelanchier species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. Plants grow naturally in dry rocky places in North America from Ontario to Michigan, Iowa, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Plants are cold hardy to -25°C. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Europe, North America, Norway, Scandinavia, Spain, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed, layering or suckers. Unless fresh seed are used, seed can take 18 months to germinate and layers can take 18 months to form roots.

Its other names

Local names

Junisotmispel

Synonyms

Amelanchier ovalis (non Med.); Crataegus spicata (Lam.);