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Herbs & Plants

Amelanchier obovalis

 

Botanical Name : Amelanchier obovalis
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
Genus: Amelanchier
Species:Amelanchier obovalis
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Rosales

Synonyms: Mespilus canadensis obovalis.

Common Names: Southern Juneberry, Coastal serviceberry

Habitat :Amelanchier obovalis is native to South-eastern N. America – Georgia and Alabama north to southern New Jersey. It grows on pinelands and low woods.
Description:
Amelanchier obovalis is a deciduous Tree. The 3-4’ multi-stemmed shrub features 2” long finely-toothed, medium green, oval leaves. In late April, the shrub produces 1” white flowers followed, in June, by edible red berries which birds heartily enjoy. Amelanchier obovalis is a distinctive shrub that performs well when massed in the garden with Neviusia alabamensis, Heuchera americana, Tiarella cordifolia, Pachysandra procumbens, Chrysogonum virginianum, and Clematis glaucophylla.It is not frost tender. The summer foilage is green but turns to orange & yellow during fall.

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The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is self-fertile.

Cultivation:
Prefers a rich loamy soil in a sunny position or semi-shade but thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are stoloniferous. All members of this genus have edible fruits and, whilst this is dry and uninteresting in some species, in many others it is sweet and juicy. Many of the species have potential for use in the garden as edible ornamentals. The main draw-back to this genus is that birds adore the fruit and will often completely strip a tree before it is fully ripe. There is at least one named variety with improved fruits. ‘Jennybelle’ is a small bush, to 3.5 metres and produces few suckers so is easier to manage. The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter and is sweet even before it is fully ripe. Plants fruit heavily and start to yield when young. They are resistant to drought, frost and high temperatures. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Grafting onto seedlings of A. lamarckii or Sorbus aucuparia is sometimes practised in order to avoid the potential problem of hybridizing.
Propagation:
Seed – it is best harvested ‘green’, when the seed is fully formed but before the seed coat has hardened, and then sown immediately in pots outdoors or in a cold frame. If stored seed is obtained early enough in the autumn, it can be given 4 weeks warm stratification before being left out in the winter and it should then germinate in the spring. Otherwise seed can be very slow to germinate, perhaps taking 18 months or more. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a sheltered outdoor position, planting them out once they are 20cm or more tall. If there is sufficient seed it is best to sow it thinly in an outdoor seedbed. Grow the seedlings on for two years in the seedbed before planting them out into their permanent positions during the winter. Layering in spring – takes 18 months. Division of suckers in late winter. The suckers need to have been growing for 2 years before you dig them up, otherwise they will not have formed roots. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions if required.

Edible Uses: ...Fruit, raw or cooked. Sweet and of very good quality, the fruit is eaten out of hand or used in pies, preserves, drinks etc. The fruit is rich in iron and copper

Medicinal Uses: Not yet known

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Amelanchier+obovalis
http://www.mtcubacenter.org/plant-finder/details/amelanchier-obovalis/
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Amelanchier_obovalis

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