Amelanchier oblongifolia

(Torr. & A. Gray) M. Roem.

Swamp sugar pear

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 2,944 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub. It develops runners. It grows 4.5 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stem is erect and branching. The leaves are oblong and 6 cm long. There are fine teeth around the edge. The leaves are woolly and turn crimson in autumn. The flowers are white and woolly. They are in groups 7.5 cm long. The fruit are 1-2 cm across. They are black and edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It can grow on heavy clay soils. It can grow in hotter areas and has some drought resistance.

Where It Grows

Australia, North America*, USA,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from ripened seeds.

Production

It starts cropping when young. It has good yields.

Notes

There are about 25-30 Amelanchier species.

Synonyms

Amelanchier canadensis var. oblongifolia Torr. & A. Gray

References (5)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 75
Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 51
John, L., & Stevenson, V., 1979, The Complete Book of Fruit. Angus & Robertson p 167
Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 58