Amelanchier × lamarckii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Amelanchier
Species:
A. × lamarckii
Binomial name
Amelanchier × lamarckii
F.G.Schroed.

Amelanchier × lamarckii, also called juneberry, serviceberry or shadbush, is a large deciduous flowering shrub or small tree in the family Rosaceae.

Description

In spring the plant unfurls new leaves and produces star-shaped white flowers.[1] The leaves are pink when they first open, maturing to yellow-green, and turn red in autumn.[1] The plant's young berry-like pome fruits are dark red when young, but become dark purple when ripe.[2]

Taxonomy

This form is an natural hybrid of A. arborea × A. laevis.[3] (A. laevis and either A. arborea or A. canadensis); therefore under the rules of botanical nomenclature, it would be known as Amelanchier × lamarckii. The Latin specific epithet honors the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829).[4]

The European common name snowy mespilus[2] (a name which is also attached to the related A. ovalis) reflects its close relationship with the medlar genus, Mespilus. It is also known as snowy mespil.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The plants are originally from eastern Canada and widely naturalised in Europe.[2] There has been some escape within North America of plants apparently secondarily derived from those European forms.[6]

Ecology

The fruit is eaten by birds soon after it ripens.[2]

Cultivation

The species is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]

Uses

Like other species of Amelanchier,[7] the fruits are edible with a sweet flavor.

References

  1. 1 2 "Snowy mespilus". BBC Plantfinder. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Amelanchier lamarckii". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  3. ↑ Rushforth, Keith (1999). Collins Guide to the Trees of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins. pp. 503–4.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  5. ↑ "Collins English Dictionary".
  6. ↑ Campbell, Christopher S.; Burgess, Michael B.; Cushman, Kevin R.; Doucette, Eric T.; Dibble, Alison C.; Frye, Christopher T. (2015), "Amelanchier Medikus, Philos. Bot. 1: 135, 155. 1789", in Brouillet, L.; Gandhi, K.; Howard, C.L.; Jeude, H.; Kiger, R.W.; Phipps, J.B.; Pryor, A.C.; Schmidt, H.H.; Strother, J.L.; Zarucchi, J.L. (eds.), Magnoliophyta: Picramniaceae to Rosaceae, Flora of North America North of Mexico, vol. 9, Oxford University Press
  7. ↑ "Amelanchier, A Very Tasty Wild Edible Fruit". Eat The Planet. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
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