Amelanchier spicata

Dwarf serviceberry is a 2–6 m tall perennial shrub with dense erect branches. It is spread vegetatively by rhizomes. The roots go deep into the ground. Its buds are burgundy in colour. The leaves are 3–6 cm long, bluish green and almost round, with a serrated margin. Young leaves are white and tomentose beneath.Flowering occurs in May-July and the white inflorescence stands in upright, dense racemes. The species’ blue-black edible berries ripen in July-August. The dwarf serviceberry produces berries from the age of 3–4 years and may continue to do so for decades. It is pollinated by a wide array of insects, mainly bees. Birds, small mammals and, in the species’ native range in North America, even bears feed on the berries and spread the seeds.

In its native range, the dwarf serviceberry grows in northern coniferous forests, grassy plains and moors, urban areas and temperate broad-leaved and mixed forests It original habitats include rocky and gravelly river banks and slopes, dry pine forests, sands and calcareous rocks.

In Europe, the dwarf serviceberry grows in dry pine and pine-oak forests, scrubby grasslands, forest edges, coastal and inland dunes, as well along railways and roadsides. In Finland, it has settled on forest edges, rocks and open forests including eskers, where it can spread and form extensive growths in sandy soil.

The dwarf serviceberry is able to grow in various soils and is tolerant of wide ranges of soil pH. It is a moderately light, demanding species, but can grow in shaded areas. It benefits from soil eutrophication.