Genus AMELANCHIER, Medic. 
Rosaceae. Icosandria Di-Pentagynia. 
Syst. Nat. Syst. Lin. 
Synonymes. 
Amelanchier, Mespilus, Aronia, Crataegus, Pyrus, Of Authors. 
Derivations. Amelancier, according to Clusius, is derived from amelancier, the old Savoy name for the Amelanchier vulgaris. 
The other names have been applied to the trees of this genus, from the resemblance they were supposed to bear to the medlar 
thorn, etc. 
Generic Characters. Ovaries 5, each divided by a partition, so that there are 10 cells ; ovules, 1 in each 
cell. Ripe pome including 3 5 carpels. Petals lanceolate. Leaves simple, serrate, deciduous. 
Flowers in racemes. Loudon, Arboretum. 
(HE genus Amelanchier occurs in but two forms sufficiently dis- 
tinct to be regarded as species, namely, the common amelan- 
chier of Europe, (A. - vulgaris.) and the Amelanchier canadensis, 
(June berry,) of North America. The former is a native of moun- 
tainous woods, among rocks, in different parts of the continent, as 
the Alps, the Pyrenees, Fontainbleau, Sec. and has been culti- 
vated in Britain since 1596, where it forms a most desirable low tree, fifteen or 
twenty feet in height, on account of its early and numerous flowers, which cover 
the tree like a white sheet, about the middle of April, and, in very mild seasons, 
even in March. Its fruit is round, soft, eatable, and ripens in July, soon aftr 
which, it drops off, or is eaten by birds. It may be propagated from seeds or by 
grafting on the hawthorn or the quince. 
To the same natural family belongs the common medlar of Europe, (Mespilus 
germanica,) a tree which was known to the Greeks, and has been cultivated in 
Britain for an indefinite period. As an ornamental shrub, it well deserves a 
place in every collection, from the tortuous, fantastic appearance of its branches, 
its large leaves, large white flowers, and rich-looking persistent calyxes, which 
accompany its fruit. There are several varieties of this species, among which, 
what is called the " Dutch medlar," is reckoned the best. The fruit, however, 
is not eaten till in a state of incipient decay, when it is very agreeable to some 
palates; though, as Du Hamel observes, it is probably more " un fruit de fantai- 
sie," than one of real utility. 
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