| Amelanchier × lamarckii | |
|---|---|
| |
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Amelanchier |
| Species: | A. × lamarckii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amelanchier × lamarckii | |
Amelanchier × lamarckii, also called juneberry, serviceberry or shadbush, is a large deciduous flowering shrub or small tree in the family Rosaceae.
Description[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
The fruit is eaten by birds soon after it ripens.[2]
Cultivation[edit]
The species is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
Uses[edit]
Like other species of Amelanchier,[7] the fruits are edible with a sweet flavor.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Snowy mespilus". BBC Plantfinder. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Amelanchier lamarckii". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ Rushforth, Keith (1999). Collins Guide to the Trees of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins. pp. 503–4.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
- ^ "Collins English Dictionary".
- ^ 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
- ^ "Amelanchier, A Very Tasty Wild Edible Fruit". Eat The Planet. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
External links[edit]