Pale Serviceberry
Amelanchier pallida
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © kupaoa (iNaturalist #309807530)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Amelanchier
- Species:
- Amelanchier pallida
- USDA Symbol:
- AMPA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- 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
Acerra normalis, Acronicta perdita, Agrochola pulchella, American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Ancylis apicana, Ancylis fuscociliana, Aristotelia amelanchierella, Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Ceranemota fasciata, cymatophoroides false owlet moth (Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides), Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis), Dimorphic Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena mollisaria), dimorphic pinion (Lithophane patefacta), Egira hiemalis, Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), false pinion (Litholomia napaea), Filatima frugalis, Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Forked Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena tigrinaria), four-banded leafroller (Argyrotaenia quadrifasciana), fragile dagger moth (Acronicta fragilis), friendly probole (Probole amicaria), gray swordgrass (Xylena cineritia), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Hyppa xylinoides, large looper moth (Autographa ampla), Lesser Peachtree Borer (Grapholita prunivora), Linden looper (Erannis tiliaria), Lycia rachelae, Mesothea incertata, Morning-glory prominent moth (Schizura ipomoeae), mottled gray carpet moth (Cladara limitaria), Pale beauty (Campaea perlata), Pale Oligocentria (Oligocentria pallida), Parornix alta, Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Polia detracta, Pseudorthodes irrorata, Purple Arches (Agrochola purpurea), Radcliffe's dagger moth (Acronicta radcliffei), Red-washed Prominent (Oligocentria semirufescens), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Setagrotis pallidicollis, Spilosoma pteridis, Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Stigmella taeniola, Syngrapha epigaea, Three-spotted sallow (Eupsilia tristigmata), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), western winter moth (Operophtera occidentalis), white triangle tortrix (Clepsis persicana), White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa), California hairstreak (Satyrium californicum), Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon), Weidemeyer's Admiral (Basilarchia weidemeyerii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies, 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. Common in fire-adapted ecosystems and benefits from periodic burning which reduces competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit embryo dormancy requiring cold stratification. Germination may be erratic even with proper pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for optimal germination.
Source: Claude AI