Canadian Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Rasbak
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Amelanchier
- Species:
- Amelanchier canadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- AMCA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acronicta superans, American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Apamea alia, Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Barnes' dart moth (Abagrotis barnesi), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), crispate flannel moth (Megalopyge crispata), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), hag moth (Phobetron pithecium), lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes), Malana balsa moth (Balsa malana), mottled gray carpet moth (Cladara limitaria), Parornix quadripunctella, pear clearwing moth (Synanthedon pyri), Phyllonorycter crataegella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Pseudotelphusa amelanchierella, Stigmella amelanchierella, Stigmella chalybeia, White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, bees, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire or cutting. Common in fire-maintained habitats and benefits from periodic disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers moist, fertile soils in its native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds may exhibit double dormancy in some cases. Germination can be erratic even after proper stratification. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 90 to 120 days
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: 20°x 4 weeks, then L