Amelanchier alnifolia

It is a deciduous shrub or small tree that most often grows to , in height. Its growth form spans from suckering and forming colonies to clumped. with five quite separate petals and five sepals. In A. alnifolia, they are about across, with 20 stamens and five styles, appearing on short racemes of 3–20, or higher. Quercetin, cyanidin, delphinidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, peonidin, and malvidin were present in saskatoon berries. == Taxonomy ==

Varieties The three varieties are: • A. a. var. alnifolia. Northeastern part of the species' range. • A. a. var. pumila (Nutt.) A.Nelson. Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada. • A. a. var. semiintegrifolia (Hook.) C.L.Hitchc. Pacific coastal regions, Alaska to northwestern California. Etymology The name saskatoon derives from the Cree inanimate noun ( , 'saskatoonberry', 'saskatoonberries'). The specific epithet alnifolia is a feminine adjective. It is a compound of the Latin word for "alder", , and the word for "leaf", . Historically, it was also called pigeon berry. "Service berry" appears to be a name applied by European immigrants who found it similar in appearance to the European "service tree" plants of genus Sorbus and Cormus. == Distribution and habitat ==

The plant is present from Alaska across most of western Canada and in the western and north-central United States. It is a common shrub in the forest understory, as well as canyons. == Ecology ==

A. alnifolia is susceptible to cedar-apple rust, Entomosporium leaf spot, fireblight, brown rot, Cytospora canker, powdery mildew, and blackleaf. Problem insects include aphids, thrips, mites, bud moths, saskatoon sawflies, and pear slug sawflies. The foliage is browsed by deer, elk, rabbits, and livestock. The fruit are eaten by wildlife including birds, squirrels, and bears. == Cultivation ==

Seedlings are planted with between rows and between plants. An individual bush may bear fruit 30 or more years. Saskatoons are adaptable to most soil types with exception of poorly drained or heavy clay soils lacking organic matter. Shallow soils should be avoided, especially if the water table is high or erratic. Winter hardiness is exceptional, but frost can damage blooms as late as May. Large amounts of sunshine are needed for fruit ripening. == Uses ==

Nutrition Saskatoon berries contain significant amounts of total dietary fiber, riboflavin and biotin, and the dietary minerals, iron and manganese, a nutrient profile similar to the content of blueberries. pending safety testing; the ban eventually was lifted. == In culture ==

The city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is named after the berry; The saskatoon berry pie has become iconic on the Canadian prairies. Nlaka'pamux traditional knowledge holds that when saskatoon berry starts blooming, bitterroot is ready to be dug up and harvested. The Syilx/Okanagan, in turn, use the blooming of brittle pricklypear as an indicator that saskatoon berries are ready to harvest. == References ==