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Smith, R.W.

Amelanchier sanguinea

Amelanchier sanguinea (Pursh) DC.

Roundleaf Serviceberry, Red-twig Serviceberry

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: AMSA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A low, straggling or arching shrub, usually 3-8 ft. tall, with a single, slender trunk. Grows in clumps but does not form colonies. Loose, nodding spikes of white, sometimes pinkish, flowers are followed by dark-purple berries.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Rarely pinkish.

Distribution

USA: CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: ME & Que. to ND, s. to CT, MI & SD; also mts. to NC & TN
Native Habitat: Hillsides; upland woods; rocky slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rocky, clay soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: An important browse and food plant for birds and other wildlife.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

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

Propagation

Description: This species can be rooted from early spring hardwood cuttings or softwood cutting taken in the summer. 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

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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