Utah serviceberry (Trees & Shrubs of the Sunol Region

Utah serviceberry

Amelanchier utahensis

Summary ⁷

Amelanchier utahensis, the Utah serviceberry, is a shrub or small tree native to western North America. This serviceberry grows in varied habitats, from scrubby open slopes to woodlands and forests.

Description ⁸

General: Considerable variation occurs in the native shrubs or small trees that are generally 2 to 4 meters tall. Deciduous leaves are simple, alternate generally serrate-dentate from the middle to the tip. Flowers form clusters in early May with five showy white petals and the ovary is 2 to 5 celled. The persistent purplish – black pome can remain dry and pulpy. Considerable variation occurs when it is found on sites with Saskatoon serviceberry where natural hybrids are sometimes found. It generally occupies drier sites than Saskatoon serviceberry.

Distribution: Utah serviceberry is generally found at elevations of 5000 to 9000 feet from Montana to Oregon, south to New Mexico, and California (Harrington, 1954).

Habitat: The plant is found on dry ridges and slopes in big sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and aspen communities. It is abundant in the southern portion of the Great Basin (Wasser, 1982).