Rosaceae-The Rose Family

By: Leslie Harper

Shadbush/Service-berryorAmelanchier Arboea (Mischx. f.) Fern.

Classification [1]

Kingdom:  PlantaeSubkingdom:  Tracheobionta

Superdivision:  SpermatophytaDivision : Magnoliophyta

Class : MagnoliopsidaSubclass:  Rosidae

Order : RosalesFamily : Rosaceae

Genus : Amelanchier Medik.Species : Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fernald

Shape, Form, and Type [2]

The Service-berry is a small bush with a slow growth rate. It is most active in the growing process in the Spring and Summer.On average, it’s mature height is 36 feet tall. Its foliage color is dark green, its seeds are red, and its flowers are white. The bush’s shape is erect and growth form is single stemmed.

Figure 1.1

Bark [3]

The bark of young Service-berry trees is usually light gray with shallow, vertical crevices. The bark of the older trees tends to be much more cracked and rough.

Figure 1.2

Twig [4]

Figure 1.3

The twigs of this tree are “red-brown to black, hairy when young, becoming glabrous” [4].

Leaf [3]

The leaves of the Service-berry tree are alternate, simple, and usually are from about 1 to 3 inches long. At first the leaves have a silver tint and are fuzzy, but then they grow to a dark green in the summer.In the fall the leaves turn yellow, orange, or red and are considered to be one of the most beautiful trees in this season.

Figure 1.4

Bud [3]

The buds flower in March through May. When they first unfold into leaves they are very hairy on their surface and petioles. Bright, white flowers appear before the leaves do and is among the first to sprout of the early spring trees.

Figure 1.5

Flower [3]

The flower of the Service-berry is said to be its crowning jewel.It is one of the first to show amid the early spring trees. The flowers are a brilliant white which makes them very conspicuous.

Figure 1.6

Fruit [3]

The fruit of the Service-berry tree ripens in June.It starts out as green then turns to red to purple-black.The berries are eaten by wildlife, and their seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals.

Figure 1.7

Uses [2]

1. Human Consumption2. Animal Consumption

3. Berry Product

Though this tree is native to eastern North America it can be found in any other areas of the continent. In Kentucky, the Service-berry tree is found mostly in woodlands in the Appalachian Plateaus, Inner Low Plateaus, and Mississippi Embayment regions.

Habitat and Range [3]

Photo References

Figures 1.1 & 1.6Downy serviceberry (downy juneberry). (n.d.).

Retrieved June 22, 2010, http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/garden/amelanchierarbo.html

Figures 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, & 1.7Amelanchier arborea . (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/amar3.htm

Text References

[1] Classification for kingdom plantae down to species amelanchier arborea (michx. f.) fernald . (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=AMAR3&display=31

[2] Amelanchier arborea (michx. f.) fernald. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=AMAR3

[3] Amelanchier arborea. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, http://www.bernheim.org/amelanchier_arborea.html

[4] Amelanchier arborea (michx. f.) fern.. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2010, http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/amel-arb.htm