Fauna
Plant

Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia

Also known as Pacific Serviceberry, Western Serviceberry, Western Shadbush, Western Juneberry

Saskatoon is a tough, cold-tolerant shrub native to northwestern North America, forming dense thickets across prairie coulees, open woodlands, and mountain slopes. In early spring, dense clusters of star-like white blossoms emerge before or alongside the rounded, finely-toothed leaves. The deep purple pomes ripen in midsummer, providing a vital nutrient source for songbirds, bears, and small mammals that disperse seeds across the landscape.

NativeFloweringDeciduous
Saskatoon reference1 / 7
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Mule Deer
  • Black Bear
  • Cedar Waxwing
ThreatsHabitat conversion, extreme drought, invasive weed competition
HabitatsPrairie coulees, forest edges, rocky slopes, riparian zones
Life span30–60 years
Classification
  1. OrderRosales
  2. FamilyRosaceae
  3. GenusAmelanchier
  4. SpeciesAmelanchier alnifolia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fruit based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Spring Identification: Look for massed five-petaled white flowers blooming in early spring before leaves fully expand.
  • Spotting Wildlife: Visit thickets during summer mornings to observe songbirds feeding on the dark purple fruit.
  • Winter Distinctions: Examine dormant twigs for reddish-purple buds and smooth gray bark with subtle dark lines.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…