Amelanchier ovalis var. integrifolia

(Boiss.& Hohen.) Browicz.

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 4,947 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Amelanchier ovalis, commonly known as snowy mespilus (a name which is also attached to the related A. lamarckii) or serviceberry, is a deciduous shrub in the family Rosaceae. Its pome fruits are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. The species is native to central and southern Europe, as well as North Africa and the Middle East.

Description

A shrub to 4 m tall.

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Edible Uses

Amelanchier ovalis can be used for land restoration and afforestation, thanks to its pioneer features. The berries can be eaten fresh, although they taste rather bland. More often they are processed for jam, compote or spirits. Extracts from twigs, leaves and bark can be used for medicinal purposes, due to their richness in biologically active substances, such as polyphenols.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

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Distribution

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows naturally in rocky sites up to the middle mountain zone in Greece to W. Asia.

Where It Grows

Asia, Europe, Greece, Mediterranean,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed, layering or suckers. Unless fresh seed are used, seed can take 18 months to germinate and layers can take 18 months to form roots.