Shadbush
Amelanchier canadensis

The shadbush is a small tree with white flower clusters that bloom in early spring. It grows in wet areas such as swamps and forested wetlands throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, mostly in the coastal plain.

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Shadbush, also known as serviceberry, has clusters of white, five-petaled flowers and is one of the first shrubs to bloom each spring, from March to May. Above, a conservation landscape comprised of several serviceberry trees and other native plants helps an apartment complex alleviate erosion issues while promoting wildlife in Annapolis, Md., on April 6, 2017. Local watershed organization Spa Creek Conservancy constructed the landscape on what was heavily compacted soil last fall. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge. To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to requests@chesapeakebay.net. Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image. A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.

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Appearance

The shadbush has rounded, elongated leaves with fine teeth along the edges. Leaves are alternately arranged on the branches and turn brilliant red, orange and yellow in autumn.

Clusters of white, five-petaled flowers bloom in March through May before leaves grow. Fruits are round and reddish-purple. Several stems grow from the tree’s base. Shadbush grows to 25 feet tall.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Fruits appear after flowers bloom in spring, then turn blackish as they mature in June-July. Fruits contain seeds; birds and other wildlife eat the ripe fruits and spread the seeds.

Did You Know?

  • The shadbush is also known as the serviceberry, shadblow and juneberry. It got its name because it blooms around the same time shad return to their spawning grounds in the Bay’s freshwater rivers and streams.
  • It is a member of the rose family, which includes apple, cherry and hawthorn trees. Its fruits are flavorful and edible, but birds and other wildlife usually get to them before people can pick them.
  • Native Americans relied on shadbush fruits as food and medicine
  • Shadbush can be confused with two other common serviceberry species: A. arborea and A. laevis. Shadbush is the only serviceberry species that can grow in wet, swampy soil.

Sources and Additional Information

Tags:
Plants & Trees Trees & Shrubs Marshes & Wetlands Forests & Uplands