The leaves are 1 to 3 cm long, somewhat leathery at maturity, and usually perma- 

 nently pubescent, with soft, crisp, often yellowish hairs, particularly on the lower 

 surface. 



Flowers consist of 5 sepals, which are reflexed and persistent, five white petals, 

 5 to 10 mm long, numerous stamens, and usually two or three styles. The ovary is 

 inferior, or nearly so, with false partitions forming twice as many cells as there are 

 styles. The flowers bloom during May and June and fruits mature in the fall. 



The pomaceous fruit is finely pubescent and green when young, changing at maturity 

 to a yellow or golden color, not juicy, and 6 to 7 mm broad. Fruits often dry and harden 

 on the bushes and may persist for as long as 2 years or until removed by small mammals 

 or birds. Utah serviceberry averages 25,800 cleaned seeds per pound (57/g) (Plummer and 

 others 1968) . 



Hybridization: Davis (1952) and some other authors relegate this species to a sub- 

 species of Amelanahier alnifolia. We believe with Jones (1946) that specific status is 

 warranted by its different fruiting and growth habits. Putative hybrids between these 

 two species have been noted, particularly where they occur together. Improvement of 

 various desired characteristics by selection and artificial hybridization between Utah 

 and Saskatoon serviceberry should be possible. Cruise (1964) showed that gene exchange 

 is common in Ametanchiev species in eastern North America. 



Distribution and Habitat: Utah serviceberry occurs in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, 

 California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It grows in foothills from 610 to 2,590 m 

 (2,000 to 7,000 feet) on dry, rocky slopes (fig. 7), and is associated with a wide 

 range of shrubs and trees, including sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) pinyon pines (Pinus 

 edulis and P. monophylla) , ponderosa pine, and aspen (Populus tremuloides) . This species 

 is most common in southwestern Utah and southeastern Nevada. It is generally found on 

 drier sites than Saskatoon serviceberry. Wliere they occur together. Saskatoon service- 

 berry is found in the more mesic swales and Utah serviceberry on the outer ridges. 



Use: Utah serviceberry provides good forage for cattle and good to excellent 

 browse for sheep and goats, principally in early spring because it leafs out and blooms 

 earlier than most associated shrubs. Deer browse the shrub throughout the year, but 

 are most dependent on it during winter. Persistence of dried fruits on the bushes aids 

 the survival of birds and small mammals through critical periods in the winter and spring. 



Cercocarpus — Common Floral Characteristics 



This genus has small, inconspicuous perigynous flowers which occur solitarily or 

 in axillary or terminal groups. The flowers have five deciduous sepals attached to the 

 rim of the hypanthium, numerous stamens inserted in two to three rows on the hypanthium, 

 and one pistil. Petals are lacking. Although flowers are quite similar in all species 

 of mahogany, curlleaf (C. ledifolius) tends to have the largest flowers, littleleaf 

 (C. intrioatus) the next largest, and true mountain mahogany (C. montanus) the smallest. 

 The achene terminates in elongated, hairy, persistent, variously curved or twisted 

 styles or plumes (fig. 8 and 16) . 



7 



