Mountain serviceberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain serviceberry |
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Amelanchier bartramiana is a special kind of plant known as a serviceberry. It has many common names, like mountain serviceberry, mountain shadbush, Bartram's serviceberry, mountain juneberry, Bartram juneberry, and the oblongfruit serviceberry. This plant is native to parts of North America.
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What is the Mountain Serviceberry?
The mountain serviceberry is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Amelanchier family. These plants are known for their pretty white flowers in spring. They also produce tasty berries in summer.
How to Spot the Mountain Serviceberry
You can often find this plant growing in cooler, mountainous areas. It is common in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It also grows in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Leaves of the Mountain Serviceberry
The leaves of the mountain serviceberry are unique. They can be either brown or green. Each leaf is shaped like an egg and tapers at both ends. The edges of the leaves have small, fine teeth. These teeth go almost all the way to the base of the leaf. Each leaf usually has 6 to 12 teeth. There are also 10 to 16 pairs of side veins. The leaf stalks, called petioles, are about 2 to 10 millimeters long. The main part of the leaf, called the blade, is oval or elliptic in shape.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of the mountain serviceberry are very pretty. They have five white petals. These flowers can appear alone or in small groups. Each cluster can have up to four blossoms. After the flowers bloom, they turn into small fruits. These fruits are called pomes. They start out red and then ripen to a dark purple color. The fruits are shaped like small pears.
Tasty Berries
The fruits of the mountain serviceberry are edible. This means you can eat them! They can be enjoyed raw, right off the plant. You can also cook them. Many people use these berries in jams, jellies, or pies. They are a good source of food for wildlife too.
