Cusick's Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia cusickii)

Family: Rosaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Amelanchier alnifolia cusickii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour with a hint of apple in the taste. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Ripening in mid summer, the fruit is soft and juicy with a few small seeds in the centre, it has a very nice sweet flavour with a hint of apple in the taste.; The fruit can also be dried and used as raisins or made into pemmican.; The fruit is about 10mm in diameter, it is rich in iron and copper.

Habitat & North American Range

Open woods, canyons and hillsides from near sea-level to the sub-alpine zone, mainly in the Rockies. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)