Utah serviceberry

Amelanchier utahensis

Deciduous low spreading shrub to small tree up to 13 ft. tall with white flower clusters, blooming April to August. Similar to and hybridizes with Saskatoon serviceberry (A. alnifolia), but adapted to drier sites and more southern ecotypes; up to 10,000 ft. elevation. Prefers coarse to medium textured well-drained soils and intolerant of saline soils and high water tables; establishes on mineland soils. Abundant in the southern Great Basin. Sprouts less vigorously than Saskatoon serviceberry. Occurs in sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), pinyon-juniper and aspen communities. Excellent browse for large wildlife. Valuable cover and food source for birds and small mammals; berries hang on longer into winter than on Saskatoon serviceberry.