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Utah
Serviceberry
Common
Name(s):
Utah Serviceberry
Serviceberry
Sarviceberry
Scientific
Name:
Amelanchier
utahensis Koehne
Scientific
Name Synonyms:
None known
Symbol:
AMUT
Description:
Life Span: Perennial
Origin:
Native
Season: Cool
Growth Characteristics:
Utah
serviceberry is a small tree or large shrub that is much branched
or in clumps. Its average height at maturity is about 15 feet. Individual
stems my average 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Reproduction is by seed
or by sprouting from the root crown.
Flowers/Inflorescence:
The
flowers of Utah serviceberry have white petals and grow in small
clusters. In early spring, while in bloom, the entire plant is snowy
white. Flowers April through June.
Fruits/Seeds:
Seeds are formed in small apple-like pomes that are brown to black
when ripe. The mealy portions of this fruit are juicy, sweet, and
palatable.
Leaves: An
elliptical shaped leaf, with coarsely toothed margins, especially
along the upper half of the blade. The leaf blades grow to about
1-½ inches in length, and are covered with fine, soft hairs.
They fall from the twigs after turning brown in autumn.
Stems: Twigs
are round, rather coarse, and somewhat covered with tiny hairs.
The bark is mostly smooth and gray colored. The wood is soft and
light.
Ecological
Adaptations:
Utah
serviceberry is widely scattered throughout the state. It is common
in the more arid areas in canyons, rocky areas, and foothills, usually
between 3,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation. Once it is established,
it tolerates drought well.
Soils: Utah
serviceberry grows best on coarse to medium well-drained soils.
It requires excellent drainage and is not salt tolerant.
Associated Species:
Pinyon
pine, ponderosa pine, quaking
aspen, gambel oak, bluebunch
wheatgrass, Indian
ricegrass.
Uses and
Management:
The
fruit of Utah serviceberry is an excellent source of bird food while
the foliage is good browse for both wildlife and domestic livestock.
It is a very important species for mule deer in the Great Basin.
It provides good forage in late winter and early spring because
it leafs out and blooms earlier than associated species. Utah serviceberry
also provides good ground cover for watershed protection.
Utah serviceberry has been used for fuel to a very limited degree.
The fruit, both fresh and dried, was extensively used as food by
Indians. The branches were used for making bows.
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