Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Cordate , Elliptic , Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire , Serrate
Inflorescence: Raceme
Size Notes: Height 4-15 feet, spread 6-8 feet.
Leaf: Green in summer, yellow to reddish in the fall.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Blue or purplish. to 1/4 inch across.
Size Class: 3-6 ft. , 6-12 ft. , 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , IA , ID , MN , MT , ND , NE , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , ON , PE , SK , YT
Native Distribution: S. Man. to AK, s. to n.w. IA, n. NE, NM, AZ & CA
Native Habitat: Moist stream banks to drier hillsides; open woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This species has been developed for commercial fruit production. Its berries are 1/3-1/2 in. in diameter and blue-purple. Though it is adaptable to a variety of soil and moisture conditions, it shows some drought intolerance. It often suckers to form colonies. Under favorable conditions, individual bushes may be in bloom for as long as a month.

Benefit

Use Ornamental:
Use Wildlife: Berries provide food for mammals and birds, and the dense growth provides shelter. The shrub has good nutrient levels throughout the year. It is browsed mostly in spring when it provides good forage for cattle, goats, sheep, and wild ungulates, although in concentrated doses the twigs and leaves, which contain cyanide compounds can fatally poison these animals.
Use Food: The fruit of this and related species are eaten fresh, prepared in puddings, pies, and muffins, and dried like raisins and currants. Indigenous people used the fruit in soups, stews, meat dishes, pemmican and dried cakes.
Use Medicinal: Boiled cambium can be used as a disinfectant. Root infusions were used to prevent miscarriages. Juice was used to cure stomach ailments, and it is a mild laxative. Eye and eardrops were made from mature berries.
Use Other: Arrows and pipe stems made from shoots.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Attracts orange tip and elfin butterflies.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Amelanchier alnifolia is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

California Hairstreak (Satyrium californica) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Elf (Microtia elva) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: This species can be rooted from early spring hardwood cuttings or softwood cutting taken in the summer. Layering or separation of suckers from parent plants is another means of increase. Sow untreated seeds in fall or cold-stratified seed in spring.
Seed Collection: Collect fruits as soon as they ripen (if you can beat the birds) and clean seeds immediately to prevent fermentation. Fertile seeds are dark brown with a leathery seed coat. Seed extraction is usually by macerating the fruit and washing them over screens. Air dry and store in sealed, refrigerated containers for up to five years.
Seed Treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 90-120 days.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
LAMTREE FARM - Warrensville, NC

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Amelanchier alnifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Amelanchier alnifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amelanchier alnifolia