Western Serviceberry - q’ʷəlastəbac - (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Western Serviceberry is a large erect shrub, to small tree with a light-gray bark. It has compact clusters of fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators and bloom late-spring to early-summer just before the shrubs small, ovate, light-green leaves appear and eventually turn yellow and orangey-red in autumn. These autumnal leaves remain on the shrub for an extended period. Western Serviceberry’s fruit ripens in early summer as small, sweet, purplish-blue berries that can be eaten raw or prepared in puddings, pies, jams, or dried to be used in baking or as a standalone snack. Native Americans have eaten the fruit in stews, soups, pemmican, and meat dishes. Many parts of the Western Serviceberry can be used medicinally, and are enjoyed by wildlife and livestock, although caution should be taken to not let animals overconsume leaves and twigs which contain some amount of cyanide. Because of this we also urge caution to households with small children.
*Prefers full sun to partial shade
*Prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.
*Suitable as a bordering plant, a windbreak, a living fence, or in hedges and screens. Can be used for control of soil erosion.
*Typically, 6 to 10 feet in height, 30 feet max height, with a spread of 6 to 8 feet.
*Sold Bare Root
*Sold in bundles of 5
q’ʷəlastəbac *Lushootseed provided by the Puyallup Tribal Language Program and audio by Chris Briden, Puyallup Tribal member.