serviceberry

noun

ser·​vice·​ber·​ry ˈsər-vəs-ˌber-ē 

 also  ˈsär-

1

: the edible purple or red fruit of any of various North American trees or shrubs (genus Amelanchier) of the rose family

2

: a tree or shrub that produces serviceberries and has showy white flowers in the spring

called also Juneberry, shadblow, shadbush

Examples of serviceberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to showcasing some of the state’s most stunning blooms in an authentic Japanese setting, the Richard & Helen Devos Japanese Garden has a contemplative Zen-style garden, waterfalls, bonsai trees, Japanese maple trees, and serviceberry trees — the latter also bloom in spring. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2024

Even better, new serviceberry and huckleberry bushes had sprouted in the stirred earth, providing bears cover and fruit. —Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024

Indigenous to the upper half of North America and favoured by landscapers for its cold-hardiness, it is known by a few names in English, most commonly saskatoon or serviceberry. —Hazlitt, 6 Sep. 2023

However, many shrubs and flowering perennials, such as serviceberry, dogwood, coneflower, and rudbeckia, are also considered keystone plants and can be incorporated in almost any type of garden, even container gardens. —Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 25 July 2023

On the first hike in June, Willard led the group down a narrow path through a stand of pine and aspen, stopping to point out native plants on the trail: Blue clematis, serviceberry (which is edible), Oregon grape (edible) and chokecherry (also edible). —Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 June 2022

Plenty of native species will also produce colorful flowers in spring, including serviceberry, flowering dogwood, and redbud. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2023

Above: At his Virginia home, landscape architect Thomas Woltz placed a marble sculpture among hydrangeas, hornbeam hedges, and serviceberry trees. —Tim McKeough, ELLE Decor, 5 Apr. 2023

Best fall foliage Along Red Butte’s Garden Floral Walk, just past the Pear Arbor, is an area staff members call the serviceberry tunnel. —Kaitlyn Bancroft, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Aug. 2021

Word History

Etymology

service entry 4 + berry entry 1

Note: Note that the name serviceberry refers to a North American plant (Amelanchier) of a different genus than the plant denoted by service in Europe (genus Sorbus).

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

serviceberry

noun

ser·​vice·​ber·​ry ˈsər-vəs-ˌber-ē 

 also  ˈsär-

1

: any of various North American trees or shrubs related to the roses that are sometimes grown for their showy white flowers and edible purplish to red fruit

called also Juneberry, shadbush

2

: the fruit of a serviceberry