Amelanchier arborea (F. Michx.) Fernald

Downy Serviceberry; Downy Juneberry

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Downy Serviceberry is a native large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Downy Serviceberry occurs along creeks and rivers, in mixed pine/hardwood forests, and in dry pine forests. Plants vary in height from 15-60 feet. The bark is smooth and light gray in color. Leaves are deciduous, petiolate, ovate to obovate in outline, with serrate margins. Leaves vary from glabrous to moderately pubescent. Flowers are produced in terminal erect or drooping panicles. Flowers are produced with or before the leaves. The flowers have 5 linear white petals. The petals may be tinted with pink. The fruit is a purple-red pome. This is the largest and most widespread of the four species of Serviceberries found in Alabama. The white flowers are produced in the early spring “when the shad run” leading to another common name—shadbush. The small edible fruit are produced in June and are a favorite of birds. The leaves often turn a bright orange-red or yellow in the autumn.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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