Species Factsheets
Amelanchier sanguinea
Roundleaf Serviceberry
State Status: TU
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Endangered (PE)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S2
Did You Know?
While the fruit from this genus is dry and uninteresting in some species, in many others it is sweet and juicy.
Description
Roundleaf serviceberry (Amelanchier sanguinea) is a shrub or small tree. The leaves are alternate, simple, deciduous, and coarsely-toothed on the margin. The flowers, which have five white petals, are grouped in small clusters that appear from late April to mid May. The fruits resemble miniature apples and are reddish to purple when mature. Identification of this species must be done with care because of its resemblance to other serviceberries.
Rank Justification
Imperiled in the nation or state because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation or state.
PABS
Roundleaf serviceberry has been given a status of Endangered on the Plants of Special Concern in Pennsylvania list by the Pennsylvania Biological Survey and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, based on the relatively few historical and recent records that have been documented in the state.
Habitat
The species grows on dry rocky slopes, cliffs, and outcrops in scrubby woods, thickets, and exposed locations.
Survey Dates
Flowers mid-April - late May; fruits June - early July
Distribution
It is known historically and currently from several northern or mountainous counties in Pennsylvania.
Management
The species is unlikely to be noticed except during the brief flowering period in the spring of the year. More field work is needed in order to determine if this status is justified. The plant may have been overlooked because its habitat is not always easily accessible and because of difficulty of identification.
Conservation Status Map
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org.
https://practicalplants.org/wiki/Amelanchier_sanguinea
- NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/explorer
- Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. 2018.
- Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block.
- 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual. 2nd edition. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
