Amelanchier alnifolia. Amelanchier canadensis. Amelanchier vulgaris.

Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Rosaceae. Western Service Berry.

North America. In Oregon and Washington, the berries are largely employed as a food by the Indians. The fruit is much larger than that of the eastern service berry; growing in favorable localities, each berry is full half an inch in diameter and very good to eat.

Amelanchier canadensis Medic. Grape-Pear. Juneberry. Service Berry. Shad. Sweet Pear.

North America and eastern Asia. This bush or small tree, according to the variety, is a native of the northern portion of America and eastern Asia. Gray describes five forms. For many years a Mr. Smith, Cambridge, Massachusetts, has cultivated var. oblongifolia in his garden and in 1881 exhibited a plate of very palatable fruit at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's show. The berries are eaten in large quantities, fresh or dried, by the Indians of the Northwest. The fruit is called by the French in Canada poires, in Maine sweet pear and from early times has been dried and eaten by the natives. It is called grape-pear in places, and its fruit is of a purplish color and an agreeable, sweet taste. The pea-sized fruit is said to be the finest fruit of the Saskatchewan country and to be used by the Cree Indians both fresh and dried.

Amelanchier vulgaris Moench. Amelanchier.

Mountains of Europe and adjoining portions of Asia. This species has long been cultivated in England, where its fruit, though not highly palatable, is eatable. It is valued more for its flowers than its fruit.


Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World, 1919, was edited by U. P. Hedrick.