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Amelanchier canadensis (bilberry, Canadian serviceberry, chuckle-berry, currant-tree, juneberry, shad-blow serviceberry, shad-blow, shadbush, shadbush serviceberry, sugarplum, thicket serviceberry) is a species of Amelanchier native to eastern North America in Canada from Newfoundland west to southern Ontario, and in the United States from Maine south to Alabama. It is largely restricted to wet sites, particularly on the Atlantic coastal plain, growing at altitudes from sea level up to 200 m.

Growth
It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 0.5–8 m tall with one to many stems and a narrow, fastigiate crown. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to ovate-oblong, 1–5.5 cm long and 1.8–2.8 cm broad with a rounded to sub-acute apex; they are downy below, and have a serrated margin and an 8–15 mm petiole. The flowers are produced in early spring in loose racemes 4–6 cm long at the ends of the branches; each raceme has four to ten flowers. The flower has five white petals 7.6–11 mm long and 2–4 mm broad, and 20 stamens. The fruit is a pome, 7–10 mm diameter, dark purple when ripe; it is edible and sweet. Fruits become ripe in June and July in its native range.

Uses
It is used as a medicinal plant, food, and ornamental plant. It is sometimes made into bonsai.

Description
The Amelanchier canadensis is a deciduous, small tree that flowers in the early spring. Its height ranges from 6-20ft. The leaves are subtly serrated and about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in length and they have a simple alternate pattern.

Bark
The bark is smoother, and an ash gray color when it is younger but as it gets older, the bark begins to form long, dark ridges and shallow furrows as it grows older.

Fruit
The fruit is Pome-like and is less than 1 inch in both width and length. As the fruit ages it turns from a green color, and slowly shifts from red to purple, then to an almost black color as it reaches maturity. It is best to harvest these in early summer. The fruit is also a food source for wildlife. It is an important food source for pollinator species like butterflies and bees, and the fruits are a food source for many different species of birds and small mammals including cardinals, woodpeckers, robins, orioles, chipmunks, and squirrels. Deer do not usually feed on this species of tree very often.

Flowers
The flowers that grow on Amelanchier canadensis bloom in the early spring, and tend to be either white or light pink in color. The flowers typically have 4 to 5 petals that are arranged in a star-like shape. The flowers are also lightly fragrant.

Leaves
When leaves are young they are covered in fine hairs but they smoothen out as they become older but the underside of the leaf will keep the short hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped and have finely serrated margins. The leaves are arranged in a simple alternate pattern and are 1 to 3 inches long and less than 1 inch wide.

Stems
Like the leaves, The stems are hairy when they are young and smoothen out over time. They have a brown or copper color. The buds also have fine hairs.

Distribution
Amelanchier canadensis occurs primarily on the East coast of the United States and stretches as far north as the Ontario and Quebec provinces of Canada and as far west as Mississippi.

Habitat
Their native habitats are very moisture-laden, sticking to low elevations and loamy, well-draining soils, being found predominantly in coastal areas, lowlands, thickets, and swamps. Groups that grow in the Northeast are seen to grow around poplars, white oaks, choke cherries, red cedars, bayberries, and speckled alders.

Insects/Pests
Rust leaf spot blight and apple powdery mildew can occur in Amelanchier canadensis. Insects that can burden the tree include the sawfly, leaf miners, borers, and scales.

Cause
The main cause of this is Gymnosporangium, the bottom of leaves will begin to produce yellow circular marks. Once the fungus has matured, it begins to sprout spore horns that can be either yellow or brown. These horns can form on the fruit, leaves, stems, petioles, and twigs depending on the species of rust that has infected the tree. Leaves can begin to fall off, the fruits can start to rot, and it is not unusual for part of the tree infected with rust to die during the next winter. Members of the rose family can only be infected in wet weather in early spring.

Solutions
Removing species that infect others around them seems to be the best course of action in stopping the spread of rust. Some chemical control methods have also proven successful but not in all applications. Any chemical fungicides used should be applied after growth of the rust is noticed in the spring.

Uses
The serviceberry blooms early in the spring. it is an important food source for pollinators like butterflies and honeybees. The tree’s wood is hard, heavy, and dark brown. It can hold polish and can be used to make fishing rods, walking sticks, and wooden handles. Wood production can be difficult due to the tree's small stature.

Medicinal Uses
The bark and root of the tree have multiple medicinal purposes. The roots could prevent women who have been injured from having a miscarriage. The bark was used as a dewormer for children, was used to make disinfectant wipes, and could also be used to treat diarrhea and excessive bleeding while menstruating.

Ethnobotany
The fruits have been used to make foods such as jams, and jellies, and in pies. It can also be used to make wines. These foods were mainly used by early colonists and Native American tribes.

Taxonomy
Amelanchier canadensis is part of the Rose family (Rosaceae). Its synonyms consist of ''A. canadensis var. subintegra, A. confusa Hyl., A. lucida, A. oblongifolia, and Mespilus canadensis L.'' The plant was named by Friedrich Kasimir Medikus in 1793.