Service Berry

Amelanchier arborea/ Rosaceae Native

Height 2-50 feet; ½ to 1 ½ feet

Serviceberry is also known as the shadbush because it blooms during the time when the shad are undertaking their spawning runs in our coastal creeks. In North Carolina it is called “Sarvis.” Service Berry is found throughout the state but develops best on mountain slopes. It has white sprays of flowers in early spring and many birds and animals eat the sweet red fruits as they ripen in early summer. The leaves are the larval host for the Red-spotted Purple butterfly.