Serviceberry (Saskatoon): The North American Native
Saskatoons fed indigenous peoples of the North American plains for thousands of years. The story of this overlooked native fruit.
The serviceberry or saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a small dark blue fruit from a North American native shrub. Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains relied on saskatoons as a food and pemmican ingredient for thousands of years. The fruit looks like a blueberry but is botanically a pome (apple family), with an almond-like flavor.
Origin and history
Native across North America from Alaska to northern Mexico. The Cree word "saskatoon" gave the Saskatchewan provincial capital its name. Used by Plains Indigenous peoples for fresh eating, drying, pemmican (mixed with dried meat and fat), and traditional medicine.
Where saskatoons grow today
Commercial cultivation is centered in Canada (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta). Wild-harvested across the northern U.S. and Canadian plains.
How to grow
USDA Zones 2-7 โ extremely cold-hardy. Multi-stemmed shrub (2-4m). Self-fertile. First fruit in year 2. Birds love the fruit; netting helps.
Bottom line
An exceptionally cold-hardy native fruit with thousands of years of Indigenous use behind it. Plant in any northern garden.
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