Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis, Gesch. Bot.: 79 (1793))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (L.) Medik.

Bibliography: Gesch. Bot.: 79 (1793)

Year: 1793

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Amelanchier

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to E. U.S.A.

Description

The Juneberry, known scientifically as Amelanchier canadensis, is a cherished member of the Rosaceae family. Its natural habitat stretches from the eastern regions of Canada down through the eastern United States, showcasing its adaptability to various environments in these areas.

Described historically in 1793 by L. Medik., the Juneberry boasts a botanical lineage that has been studied and appreciated for over two centuries. This deciduous shrub or small tree is lauded for its aesthetic appeal and practical uses. It features striking white blossoms that bloom in the early spring, creating a picturesque scene that heralds the end of winter.

Throughout the growing season, the Juneberry produces small, sweet, and juicy fruits that ripen to a deep purplish-red hue. These berries are not only a delight for the local wildlife but are also harvested and enjoyed by humans for their unique flavor and nutritional benefits. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, Juneberries are often used in pies, jams, and even wines.

The plant’s foliage adds to its ornamental value, with leaves that transition through a spectrum of colors, from a fresh green in spring and summer to vibrant hues of red and orange in the fall. This multi-seasonal appeal makes the Juneberry a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers looking to add year-round interest to their spaces.

Thriving in well-drained soils and capable of withstanding both drought and occasional flooding, the Juneberry is a resilient plant that reflects the diverse climates of its native range. Its ability to adapt, coupled with its ecological and culinary contributions, underscores why Amelanchier canadensis remains a valued and celebrated species in botanical gardens and natural landscapes alike.

Common Names

Eng: canadian serviceberry, juneberry, shadbush, snowy-mespilus, thicket serviceberry, canada serviceberry, eastern serviceberry, shadblow, swamp shadbush
Hun: kanadai fanyarka
Swe: kanadensisk häggmispel
Deu: kanadische felsenbirne
Fra: amélanchier du canada, amélanchier canadien
En: Juneberry, Shadbush, Thicket serviceberry, Canadian serviceberry, Snowy-mespilus, Canadian Service-Berry, Canada serviceberry, Eastern serviceberry, Shadblow, Swamp shadbush, Shadblow Serviceberry
Az: Kanada irqası
Be: Ірга канадская
Bg: Канадска ирга
Zh: 加拿大唐棣
Da: Canadisk bærmispel
Nl: Canadees krentenboompje
Et: Kanada toompihlakas
Fi: Ruotsintuomipihlaja
Fr: Amélanchier du Canada, Amélanchier canadien
De: Kanadische Felsenbirne
Hu: Kanadai fanyarka
Ru: Ирга канадская
Es: Kanadska šmarna hrušica
Sv: Kanadensisk häggmispel

Synonyms

• Pyrus ovalis (Bigelow)
• Aronia ovalis (Elliott)
• Amelanchier fernaldii (Wiegand)
• Amelanchier canadensis grandiflora (Zabel)
• Amelanchier canadensis var. subintegra (Fernald)
• Amelanchier botryapium var. conferta (Farw.)
• Pyrus canadensis ((L.) Billb.)
• Amelanchier botryapium var. obovalis (Farw.)
• Mespilus arbutifolia var. virginiana ((Mill.) Castigl.)
• Amelanchier spicata (Decne.)
• Amelanchier oblongifolia var. walteri (M.Roem.)
• Amelanchier sera (Ashe)
• Amelanchier lancifolia (Zabel)
• Mespilus virginiana (Mill.)
• Aronia canadensis ((L.) Farw.)
• Amelanchier canadensis subvar. lancifolia ((Dippel) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Amelanchier canadensis var. semi-integrifolia (Farw.)
• Amelanchier canadensis lancifolia (Dippel)
• Amelanchier canadensis var. ovalis (G.B.Emers.)
• Aronia botryapium var. racemosa ((Lam.) Pers.)
• Amelanchier canadensis var. oblongifolia (Torr. & A.Gray)
• Pyrus neumanniana (Tausch)
• Amelanchier botryapium lancifolia (Simon-Louis ex Zabel)
• Mespilus amelanchier var. canadensis ((L.) Castigl.)
• Crataegus racemosa (Lam.)
• Amelanchier neumanniana ((Tausch) M.Roem.)
• Mespilus amelanchier var. nivea ((Marshall) Castigl.)
• Aronia latifolia (Riddell)
• Aronia affinis (J.C.Neumann ex Tausch.)
• Amelanchier lucida ((Fernald) Fernald)
• Amelanchier stolonifera var. lucida (Fernald)
• Pyrus tenuifolia (Stokes)
• Mespilus nivea (Marshall)
• Amelanchier oblongifera (Ashe)
• Amelanchier canadensis var. botryapium ((L.f.) Torr. & A.Gray)
• Mespilus glabra (Nutt. ex Hook.)
• Amelanchier canadensis var. alnifolia (Farw.)
• Amelanchier oblongifolia ((Torr. & A.Gray) M.Roem.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Illinois (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jan 28, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Alexandra Hudon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Nicolas Tison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Luc Wiseman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Lee Sparey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by jordan jordan davies (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Go Glaso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2020 by Hermann Suerken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2019 by théodon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Petra Petra van Dijk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by gwtaylor (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Lee Sparey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Esther Carr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Go Glaso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Michaela Wimmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2019 by Kewl Tobsen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2020 by barb mck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Christian (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Marieke Wiersma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Jane Scarlata (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3023833)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:721188-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Amelanchier canadensis (L.) Medik.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Multiple Stem

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.5