Utah serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
Synonyms: Amelanchier rubescens var. cinerea, Amelanchier bakeri, Amelanchier florida var. oreophila, Amelanchier jonesiana, Amelanchier oreophila, Amelanchier alnifolia var. covillei, Amelanchier alnifolia var. utahensis, Amelanchier elliptica, Amelanchier australis, Amelanchier rubescens, Amelanchier utahensis var. covillei, Amelanchier nitens, Amelanchier purpusii, Amelanchier venulosa, Amelanchier mormonica, Amelanchier utahensis subsp. oreophila, Amelanchier prunifolia, Amelanchier utahensis subsp. covillei, Amelanchier plurinervis, Amelanchier alnifolia var. oreophila, Amelanchier alnifolia var. nitens, Amelanchier goldmanii, Amelanchier alnifolia var. elliptica, Amelanchier crenata, Amelanchier covillei, Amelanchier alnifolia subsp. utahensis, Amelanchier alnifolia var. venulosa
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Botanical Description
Amelanchier utahensis Koehne (Rosaceae), Utah serviceberry, is a deciduous, much-branched large shrub or small tree of the cold deserts and montane slopes of western North America, ranging from south-eastern Oregon and Idaho south through the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico. Plants typically reach 1-4 m tall, occasionally to 8 m, with smooth grey young bark becoming finely fissured with age and densely twiggy stiff branchlets. The alternate, simple leaves are elliptic to suborbicular, 1-3 cm long, with serrate margins mostly above the middle, persistently grey-pubescent beneath at maturity, and short-petioled. Short axillary racemes of three to six fragrant white flowers appear with or just before the leaves in spring; each flower is 1.5-2.5 cm across with five narrow strap-shaped petals and many stamens. The pome is small, 6-10 mm in diameter, dark purple-black, somewhat dry but sweet, ripening in mid-summer.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
Many tribes of the arid Southwest used Utah serviceberry chiefly as a food and material plant. The Havasupai gathered the fruits for food, used the long straight stems for basketry and furniture, and fashioned cooking tools, hunting implements and other tools from the wood (Weber and Seaman, 1985). The Hopi employed the wood for ceremonial items and as a hunting and fishing material (Colton, 1974). The Navajo and Ramah Navajo ate the fruits fresh and dried for winter use (Elmore, 1944; Hocking, 1956; Vestal, 1952), and the Isleta and Paiute also collected the fruits as food (Jones, 1931; Kelly, 1932).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.