Serviceberry

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Whether you know it as a serviceberry, shadbush, bilberry, sarvis, saskatoon berry, Juneberry, sugar plum, Indian pear, or any other of its many common names, this wild berry will taste just as sweet!

Appearance and Origins

With cheerful five-petalled white blossoms in mid to late spring, this native shrub is a pleasant find on any walk in Nova Scotia. Though it grows naturally in the wild, it has recently gained popularity as a cultivated plant and is often found planted in urban areas as well. Even in Toronto, they are common in the heart of downtown, though most people do not recognize the berries as edible (and, as with anything you find in the wild, you should not eat it unless you are certain it is safe). These berries are red when developing and turn a deep purple when they are ready to eat, falling easily off the branches when plucked. Though they were often overlooked commercially until the last few years and mostly eaten as impromptu forest snacks, serviceberries are a growing  favourite across Canada for jams, jellies, and herbal tea. Mmm, peanut butter and serviceberry jam, anyone?

Serviceberries are in the genus Amelanchier, with up to fifteen different species native to Canada. With such a variety, it is not surprising that every province and territory across Canada has at least one type of serviceberry growing! The genus name derives from a similar European plant, and many regional names have evolved to describe the variety of species, some with whimsical local explanations. For example, a common Nova Scotian term is shadbush, named because the spring blossom coincides with the migration of shad fish upriver, hence the expression, “when the shad runs.”

If you do not have a chance to see the spring blooms or eat the ripened berries late in the summer, you can still see the plant’s bright red, yellow, and orange foliage in the fall, as it is deciduous and loses its leaves for the winter.

Historical Uses

Historically, indigenous groups in Nova Scotia used serviceberries either raw or cooked. The wood and long branches are strong and flexible, surviving strong winds across the province, and could also be harvested for use. As it is more of a shrub than a tree and the trunk does not grow very wide, the wood was used for making narrow tools, such as fishing rods, baskets, and arrows. The berries provided an important part of the Mi’kmaq diet in early spring after winter months of scarcity. They were used in pemmican, a traditional indigenous food made with dried game meat, such as moose or deer, and animal fat, called tallow. The plant, called alo’qumwejit or glamuejmnaqsi in the Mi’Kmaq language, was also used in traditional indigenous medicines to treat upset stomachs and mild respiratory symptoms. Though they are not used medicinally today, it is true that the berries are both flavourful and nutritious, with high levels of antioxidants and nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, and iron.

Role in Ecology

Serviceberry plants are important for animals, birds, and insects, as well. One of the first plants to bloom after winter, they are a key source of food and shelter for these creatures, while larger trees are slower to develop their leaves. Serviceberry blossoms are popular among pollinators and offer a good spot for sighting bees and butterflies. In fact, they are so attractive to birds and insects that some commercial orchards plant them to distract birds from cherry trees, which produce about the same time. This way, the birds are drawn to the serviceberries and do not eat as many cherries, which are grown for a commercial harvest. Similarly, pest insects are attracted to the serviceberries, and less likely to consume or damage the cherry trees.

Growing

Growing easily in most settings, serviceberries tolerate a wide range of soil and weather conditions. If you’d like to plant your own, just collect some berries and clean out the seeds from the pulp. You can sow them directly into the ground in fall, or you can plant them in a container indoors if you chill them for 12-16 weeks first. Chilling the seeds before planting them in a container replicates the winter temperatures they would experience outdoors. Remember, it is a northern plant, and needs to go through a dormant cold phase every year. Because serviceberries are relatively fast-growing plants, you may have your own berries within as few as five years.

Jokes

What did the serviceberry say to the raspberry?

I like you berry much!

What do you call serviceberries playing guitars?

A jam.

How many serviceberries are in a slice of pi?

3.14

Sarah Silver Slayer