The Amelanchiers
of Westmount Park
Why their ripened fruits attract the attention of harvesters
By Michael Walsh
July 10, 2024
On the Great Plains there is a shrub bearing very sweet berries; of a dark blue colour… as sweet as the best currents…
– David Thompson (1770-1857), Canadian fur trader
An unexpected advantage to residing next to a park is how one develops a cyclical sense of time. Contributing to this are the seasonal outdoor schedules of the adjacent school, early Spring’s soccer season, the City’s annual Family Day, and winter’s tobogganing.
Of particular interest, in June, are the people who surround two particular bushes in Westmount Park, harvesting small purple fruit into baskets until they are overflowing.

Amelanchier grandiflora – Image: Painted by Johann Georg Sturm, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Intrigued by these seasonal “city foragers,” I decided to familiarize myself with these nondescript bushes. More specifically, to understand why their ripened fruits attract the attention of harvesters, many of whom reside outside the City.
To fully appreciate any plant, one must locate its placement in the plant kingdom. This is like a person’s family tree – understanding the current genetic makeup of an individual based on their ancestral lineage.
Botanically, these shrubs are known by their genus name, Amelanchier. They possess a distinctive smooth grey bark with vertical lines. Their five petal flowers, which emerge before the leaves, are short-lived (the plant reproduces asexually and does not need to attract pollinators). Within two to three months the shrub produces small red fruit, with five-pointed crowns, which turn purple when fully ripened.
Their taxonomy reveals an association with other plants bearing edible fruit. More specifically, they are part of the Rosales family – which includes roses, strawberries, and raspberries. Their subfamily, Amygdaloidea, includes almonds, peaches, cherries, apricots, and plums.
‘Of particular interest, in June, are the people who surround two particular bushes in Westmount Park, harvesting small purple fruit into baskets until they are overflowing.’
The shrubs in Westmount Park belong to the genus genu Amelanchier and are native to North America. The genus Amelanchier comprises 25 species, each with a unique regional variation. They range from New Brunswick, Maine, southern Quebec, western Ontario and Michigan to Alaska, British Columbia and south to California, New Mexico, the Dakotas, and Minnesota.

Amelanchier alnifolia – Image: Mary Vaux Walcott, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
These shrubs are commonly referred to by many different names—one reason the botanical classification is less ambiguous. Depending on the source, these shrubs are referred to as Juneberry (in reference to the month when the fruit ripens), Shadbush (the plant’s blooms occur during shad spawning season), and Serviceberry (its flowering branches adorned churches during Easter services).
Of particular importance is the Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia). This shrub is cultivated in many parts of the world and is adaptable to extremely cold temperatures. The name derives from the Cree, meaning “fruit of the tree with many branches.” The highly nutritious content of its fruit is used as an additive in jams, pies, and jellies.
The plant does not produce berries; they are called pome fruits (comprising a hard skin, fleshy interior, and core containing multiple seeds). Other pome fruits include apples and pears. Berries, on the other hand, develop from a single flower and (usually) contain soft exteriors.
‘The plant does not produce berries; they are called pome fruits (comprising a hard skin, fleshy interior, and core containing multiple seeds). Other pome fruits include apples and pears.’
Historically, early settlers used this shrub as a staple food source, and Native Americans used its hardwood for making arrows and various implements. The Shuswap people of British Columbia partially cooked the dried fruit in the form of cakes that were stored as food over the winter months. The Thompson people mixed the bitterroot with the shrub’s berries and deer fat and boiled it until it was soft and thick, resembling porridge. In addition, a medicinal drink was made by boiling the plant’s branches. It was administered to women following childbirth.
More recently, with the growing number of nutrition-conscience consumers, fresh market manufacturers are looking closely at the plant’s potential. Studies reveal that the fruit contains a high polyphenol content and antioxidant properties that protect against chronic diseases.

Amelanchier “berries” – Image: Michael Walsh
In particular, the Saskatoon serviceberry is high in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins A, B9, C, B2 and E. minerals iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phytochemicals, anthocyanins (which give the ripe fruit its purple colour) flavonoids and organic acids.
At this point, one would conclude that this plant is one of nature’s perfect food sources.
If it were, however, grazing animals would decimate the shrub in its wild state. To protect itself from overgrazing, the plant has developed an ingenious defensive mechanism that results in high deer mortality from grazing on its bark and leaves. The plant synthesizes the cyanogenic glycoside prunasin rapidly hydrolyzed by microbial intestinal rumen enzymes that yield hydrogen cyanide, glucose and benzaldehyde. Hydrogen cyanide is a rapidly acting (and potentially fatal) toxin that interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen.
‘Historically, early settlers used this shrub as a staple food source, and Native Americans used its hardwood for making arrows and various implements.’
This defence mechanism is not unique to Serviceberries. Apples, peaches, and apricots also contain prunasin in their seeds. That is the primary reason your parents taught you not to eat the seeds.
Finally, if you decide to join the “city foragers,” be certain of what you harvest. And do not rely on Google image search, or other apps, as your primary reference sources.
As we can see, even a nondescript bush has the potential to make one mistake your last.
Other articles by Michael Walsh
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Michael Walsh is a long-time Westmount resident. He is happily retired from nearly four decades in the field of higher education technology. A “professional student” by nature, his academic training, and publishing include statistical methodology, mycology and animal psychology. During this period, he was also an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Before moving to Montreal, he was contracted by the Ontario Ministry of Education to evaluate bilingual primary and secondary school programs. Today, he enjoys spending time with his (huge) Saint Bernard while discovering the city’s past and sharing stories of the majestic trees that grace the parks and streets. He can be contacted at michaelld2003 @hotmail.com or through his blog Westmount Overlooked
Also, particularly important trees for early pollinators.
Birds would enjoy their fruit too, if people weren’t all filling their baskets to overflowing!!
With wildlife competing for ever declining habitat, and an IGA or Metro on every street corner, perhaps people could be encouraged to leave the city trees to the birds….
this another fascinating and educational article beautifully constructed. the circular shape and warning at the end is important to note.