Amelanchier utahensis
| Utah serviceberry | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Amelanchier |
| Species: | A. utahensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Amelanchier utahensis | |
 | |
| Natural range of Amelanchier utahensis | |
Amelanchier utahensis, the Utah serviceberry, is a species of serviceberry forming a shrub or small tree. It is native to western North America.
Description
[edit source]Amelanchier utahensis is a spreading plant, reaching a maximum of 3.2 meters (10 feet) in height.[3] It is deciduous, bearing rounded or spade-shaped often toothed green leaves 1–2.5 centimetres (1⁄2–1 in) long;[3] these fall in autumn.
In mid-spring the shrub blooms short inflorescences of white flowers, each with five widely spaced, 1-cm-long, narrow petals.[3] The fruits are 1-cm-long purplish pomes.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit source]The core mountainous range of the species is delimited by the Colorado–New Mexico–Wyoming Rocky Mountains[4] in the east, the Front ranges of Utah at the west, and the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains region of central-east Arizona and western New Mexico to the south.[4]
The rest of the range is centered on mountain ranges of the Great Basin, and extending west to the Sierra Nevada and chaparral and woodlands in California and as far south as extreme northern Baja California, and in the north to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and southwestern Montana.[4][3]
It grows in varied habitats, from scrubby open slopes to woodlands and forests.[3]
Ecology
[edit source]The Utah serviceberry is generally fire tolerant and sprouts from the root crown when damaged by fire.[5] The tree also has a high resistance to drought and high fruit abundance.[6] Additionally, it is not susceptible to frost.[7]
The plant is browsed by desert bighorns, elk, and mule deer, as well as many birds and domesticated livestock.[citation needed]
Uses
[edit source]The berries are edible but insipid in flavor.[3]
References
[edit source]- ↑ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). (2020). "Amelanchier utahensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T138294081A156821151. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T138294081A156821151.en. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
- ↑ NatureServe (2022-06-22). "Amelanchier utahensis". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 22 Jun 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Turner, Mark; Kuhlmann, Ellen (2014). Trees & Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest (1st ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 236. ISBN 978-1-60469-263-1.
- 1 2 3 Little Jr., Elbert L. (1976). "Map 17, Amelanchier utahensis". Atlas of United States Trees. Vol. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). US Government Printing Office. LCCN 79-653298. OCLC 4053799.
- ↑ "Species: Amelanchier utahensis". Fire Effects Information System (FEIS). United States Forest Service. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Utah serviceberry - Characteristics". USDA. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Amelanchier utahensis - Koehne". Plants for a Future. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender.
External links
[edit source]- Ecology
- Jepson Manual Treatment = Amelanchier utahensis
- Amelanchier utahensis in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley
- Lady Bird Johnson database, w/ gallery
Media related to Amelanchier utahensis at Wikimedia Commons
