Apple serviceberry, Lamarck serviceberry
Amelanchier lamarckii

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub. It grows to 6-12 m high and 4 m across. The bark is grey and smooth and develops narrow cracks. The leaves are broad. They are 7.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. Young leaves are copper red and silky. The leaves turn red or orange in autumn. The flowers are white and have 5 petals. They occur in drooping clusters. The fruit are purple-black and berry-like. The fruit are 10 mm across. The fruit are edible. This species does not produce suckers.

There are about 25-30 Amelanchier species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Europe. It is naturalised in South England on sandy heaths and damp acid woods. It is hardy to cold to -25°C. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. The berries can be used with pies, cakes, jams and jellies.

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

Synonyms

Amelanchier botryapium (DC.); Amelanchier canadensis (Auct pro parte non (L.) Medik.); Amelanchier grandiflora (Franco. non Rehder.); Crataegus racemosa (Lam. non Lindl.);