Amelanchier utahensis
| Utah serviceberry | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Amelanchier |
| Species: | A. utahensis
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| 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]Amelanchier utahensis is a spreading plant, reaching a maximum of 3.2 meters (10 feet) in height.[2] It is deciduous, bearing rounded or spade-shaped often toothed green leaves 1–2.5 centimetres (1⁄2–1 in) long;[2] 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.[2] The fruits are 1-cm-long purplish pomes.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The core mountainous range of the species is delimited by the Colorado–New Mexico–Wyoming Rocky Mountains[3] 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.[3]
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.[3][2]
It grows in varied habitats, from scrubby open slopes to woodlands and forests.[2]
Ecology
[edit]The Utah serviceberry is generally fire tolerant and sprouts from the root crown when damaged by fire.[4] The tree also has a high resistance to drought and high fruit abundance.[5] Additionally, it is not susceptible to frost.[6]
The plant is browsed by desert bighorns, elk, and mule deer, as well as many birds and domesticated livestock.[citation needed]
Uses
[edit]The berries are edible but insipid in flavor.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "NatureServe Explorer - Amelanchier utahensis". NatureServe Explorer Amelanchier utahensis. NatureServe. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 22 Jun 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ United States Forest Service. SPECIES: Amelanchier utahensis Retrieved on 20 Mar. 2023
- ^ USDA. Utah serviceberry - Characteristics. Retrieved on 20 Mar. 2023
- ^ Plants for a Future. Amelanchier utahensis - Koehne. "It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender." Retrieved on 20 Mar. 2023
External links
[edit]- Ecology
- "Amelanchier utahensis". Plants for a Future.
- Jepson Manual Treatment = Amelanchier utahensis
- USDA Plants Profile: 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
