612 

 (leaf 2) 



ranges, where it constitutes a portion of the more palatable forage, 

 it is usually among the first species grazed. Common serviceberry 

 withstands close use remarkably well. Repeated nipping of the 

 shoot ends induces a rather dense and bushy growth, which tends 

 to protect the inner foliage, and also permits the central stems to 

 grow beyond the grazing height of livestock. After this height is 

 attained, continued close use results in an enlarged or treelike crown 

 and the gradual death of the bushy basal growth. Small shrubs, 

 entirely within grazing range are, of course, killed by continued 

 close use. 



Deer and elk* are particularly fond of common serviceberry. 

 Dixon, 1 for instance, states that it is one of the several plants con- 

 sidered to be of outstanding importance as a browse for mule deer in 

 California. The juicy fruit is palatable to man and is eagerly de- 

 voured by birds, rodents, and such larger wildlife as bears. 



SERVICEBERRIES (Amelan'chier spp.) 



The serviceberries, which are also known as sarvisberries, june- 

 berries, shadblows ? and shadbushes, constitute a well-known genus 

 of the large and important apple family (Malaceae), or, as some 

 botanists prefer, the apple tribe or subfamily (Maleae) of the rose 

 family (Rosaceae). The genus consists of 25 or more species, which 

 are native to the North Temperate Zone, most of them occurring in 

 North America. The serviceberries are shrubs or small trees, with 

 simple, toothed, or entire leaves, showy flowers having 5 long white 

 petals, and a juicy, usually purplish or bluish black and very pal- 

 atable, berrylike fruit. The serviceberries are easily recognized and 

 are not likely to be mistaken for any other shrubs or small trees 

 except, perhaps, the hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), which are usually 

 spiny and have conspicuously toothed or frequently lobed leaves. 

 Both of these genera have applelike fruits which are somewhat 

 similar superficially; the flesh of the hawthorn fruits is dry and 

 mealy and the seeds large and bony, whereas that of the service- 

 berries is sweet, usually pulpy, and the seeds are small and hard. 

 The flowers of the hawthorns are borne in more or less flat-topped 

 end clusters, the petals being round in outline; those of the service- 

 berries are borne in elongate clusters (racemes), the petals being 

 strapshaped or oblong. 



The meaning of the generic name Amelanchier is not definitely 

 known, but it is probably derived from a Savoy name for the re- 

 lated medlar (Mespilus germantioa), which has edible fruits. The 

 origin of the common names has been established fairly well. Serv- 

 iceberry was applied to the genus, because of the similarity of its 

 fruit to that of the European servicetree (Sorbus domestica) . June- 

 berry, logically, indicates that the berrylike fruits ripen in June. 



1 Dixon, J. S. A STUDY OF THE LIFE HISTORY AND FOOD HABITS OF MULE DEER IN 

 CALIFORNIA. PART 2 FOOD HABITS. Calif. Fish and Game 20 (4) : [315]-354, illus. 

 1934. 



