Smooth shadbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smooth shadbush |
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| A. laevis leaf and bark | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amelanchier
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| Species: |
laevis
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Amelanchier arborea var. cordifolia (Ashe) B.Boivin
Amelanchier arborea subsp. laevis (Wiegand) S.M.McKay ex P.Landry Amelanchier arborea var. laevis (Wiegand) H.E.Ahles Amelanchier botryapium G.B.Emers. Amelanchier canadensis Torr. & A.Gray 1840, illegitimate homonym not (L.) Medik. 1793 Amelanchier laevis var. cordifolia Ashe Amelanchier laevis f. nitida Wiegand Amelanchier laevis var. nitida (Wiegand) Fernald Pyrus botryapium Bigelow |
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Amelanchier laevis, also known as the smooth shadbush or Allegheny serviceberry, is a type of tree found in North America. It belongs to the rose family, which also includes roses, apples, and cherries. These trees can grow quite tall, up to about 9 meters (30 feet).
You can find them naturally in eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Their home range stretches from Newfoundland in the east, all the way west to Ontario, Minnesota, and Iowa. They also grow south as far as Georgia and Alabama.
Contents
What Does the Smooth Serviceberry Look Like?
The Amelanchier laevis tree usually grows in small groups or clumps. Its stems can be anywhere from 1 to 17 meters (about 3 to 56 feet) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this tree have stalks called petioles that are about 12 to 25 millimeters (0.5 to 1 inch) long. The leaf blades themselves are green and shaped like an ellipse or almost like an oval. Each leaf has about 12 to 17 veins running sideways and 6 to 8 small teeth along its edge per centimeter.
Fruit and Bark
The tree produces small, round fruits called pomes. These fruits are safe to eat and taste sweet. You can enjoy them raw or use them in cooking.
The bark of the Amelanchier laevis tree has been used in some traditional herbal remedies.
Growing Conditions and Uses
This tree is a deciduous type, meaning its leaves fall off in the autumn. It is quite strong and can survive in different climates, from zone 4 to zone 8. This makes it a popular choice for planting in gardens.
People often grow Amelanchier laevis as an ornamental shrub or small tree because it looks beautiful, especially when it flowers in spring. One special type of this tree, called 'R.J. Hilton', has even won an award for its excellent qualities from the Royal Horticultural Society.
