Juneberry. (Amerlanchier species). Sometimes called ‘the blueberry
of the northern plains” and higher in vitamin C content than even citrus
fruits, the juneberry was much used by various American Indian tribes who
made it into the pemmican they carried with them on long journeys. The
juneberry is also called Saskatoon (in Canada), serviceberry, sarvistree,
May cherry, shadbush, and shadblow, its last two names reflecting the
belief that it blooms
when the shad begin to run in spring. Its name serviceberry has a touching
story behind it. Since its white blossoms bloomed almost as soon as the
ground thawed in spring, pioneer families that had kept a body through
winter to bury in workable ground used these first flowers to cover the
grave. Long valued for its showy white blossoms, some species of juneberry
can grow over 50 feet tall. All types have small, apple-shaped fruits that
are bony inside but can be sweet and juicy (tasting like a combination of
blueberries and cranberries) and even good to eat out of hand, although
the fruit is usually made into jams, sauces, and pies. Fruit varies from
berries the size of blueberries in some species to berries about as big as
crabapples in others. All types can stand temperatures as low as –20
degrees F., colorful fruit, and attractive bark and autumn foliage. The
Juneberry will do well in sun or shade, is of easy culture in any ordinary
garden soil, and requires no spraying. It can be increased by sowing ripe
seed sin spring or dividing clumps in autumn after the leaves have fallen.
Juneberries should not be planted within 500 yards of junipers, as they
are alternate hosts for some juniper rusts. Of The 25 or so species, all
great favorites of birds, the following are the best to grow for their
fruits.
Amelanchier Alnifolia. The Saskatoon, a shrubby Canadian species
that grows 3 to 20 feet tall and bears sweet, juicy, black berries ˝ inch
in diameter and the best to eat of all. Alberta, Canada; Field; Furner.
Named varieties include Regent and Smoky.
Amelanchier Laevis. A tree growing up to 30 feet high that is a
beautiful ornamental and has sweet,
purplish-back fruit.
Amelancher Stolonifera. Dwarf Juneberry or Quebec berry. A
sprawling shrub about 3 feet high that spreads by means of underground
suckers and often forms patches. Its sweet, juicy, purplish-black fruit is
often used to make jelly. Sometimes sold by nurseries under the name
Success.
Amelanchier Oblongifolia. The Swamp sugar peas, A 10- to 15-foot
shrub with red purple fruit once used to make “plum” puddings.
Amelancher Canadensis. Called the Juneberry, serviceberry,
shadblow. The commonest juneberry. A 20 to 45 ft tall tree with red purple
fruit that is relatively tasteless, but can be used for jam making or
combined with other berries in pies. The Ute Indians, also called the
Grasshopper Indians, actually made a "grasshopper fruitcake" with dried
pulverized grasshoppers and juneberries. The following is a southern
recipe more appetizing to most American palates:
Juneberry Hominy Salad
2 cups hominy 2 teaspoons honey
2 cups fresh juneberries 1/2-cup soy milk powder
1/2 cup shredded coconut 2/3-cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup chopped almonds
2 tablespoons limejuice
Combine hominy with juneberries, coconut, almonds, and one teaspoon of
honey. Combine soy milk powder and one teaspoon of honey in a blender.
Then blend at high speed, slowly adding oil until the mixture thickens.
Stir in limejuice and fold the soy cream into the hominy mixture.
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