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Fruit/foliage

Form

Rosaceae

Big Bend serviceberry is a western shrub inhabiting limestone areas and rocky debris at the base of slopes in the Chisos Mountains of Brewster County, ranging south into Mexico and Guatemala. It is a densely branched shrub or small tree bearing oval or kidney shaped, entire or sharply toothed leaves, glossy, olive green above, greyish with fine dense soft white wool beneath. Reddish pedicels bear racemes of 2 to 6 quite showy whitish-pink, veiny flowers with many showy stamens. Flowers appear slightly prior to or simultaneously as leaves unfurl. They are reputed to smell unpleasant. The red or purple-black rose hip-like fruits are sometimes eaten in Mexico. Big Bend serviceberry has flexible stems which Mexicans fashion into canes called "veritas de apizaco". It has been observed that the western species of Amelanchier become disease prone when planted farther east, at lower elevations in hotter and more humid environments.

Plant Habit or Use: medium shrub
small tree

Exposure: sun
partial sun

Flower Color: white

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: pome, globose, reddish or purplish-black

Height: 10 feet

Width: 5 to 7 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: medium

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: alkaline

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8

Additional Comments: