Amelanchier ovalis
Ordinary Juneberry ( Amelanchier ovalis ), flowers
The Ordinary Juneberry ( Amelanchier ovalis ), and Common Amelanchier, corvine or edelweiss shrub ( Austria ), called a species of the rose family is ( Rosaceae ).
Description
The thornless, deciduous, richly branched and dichtkronige shrub reaches heights of growth between one and four meters. The slender, reddish brown bark at and at first tomentose -looking branches develop a mostly upright growth. The bark of the trunk shows in the young stage, a dark brown, later blackish colouration.
The change-constant leaves have a wrong - ovate to ovate shape and stand at about 15 mm long petioles. The leaf margin shows a distinct, fine perforation, the blade tip may be formed either blunt or with lace clearly recognizable. The young leaves, which are still hairy white- tomentose on their lower leaf surface, reach a size of 2-4 × 2-3.5 cm. Characteristic of the Amelanchier the orange is to dark red in autumn their leaves.
The upright, racemose inflorescence consists of three to ten flowers, the April-May - are trained - before the leaves. The flowers develop from white, felty buds the scales wearing fine lashes. The terminal bud is usually spindle-shaped. The hermaphrodite, radial symmetry and five petals are initiated by a five-petalled, green calyx. The up to 15 mm long, snow-white, wide-set and hairy on its underside wedge-shaped petals are tailored to lanceolate. At the tips they usually develop a pink tinge. The petals surrounded about 20 stamens, which in turn surround the five non- fused style of the flower. The ovary is inferior and is composed of five carpels. This form of false partitions, so that ten fruit trays arise.
The thick, spherical apple fruits ripen in August. They carry on fruit set protruding, narrow sepals and have a diameter of 1 cm. When mature, the berries are dark red to violet-black. They usually contain ten crescent-shaped and shiny seeds spread over ten fruit trays.
Ecology
The Ordinary Amelanchier is pollinated by insects ( entomophily ). The proliferation of small, hard seeds via animals that secrete this again after eating the fruit.
The Ordinary Amelanchier serves several species of butterfly nectar plant, including the Green Hairstreak ( Callophrys rubi ), a butterfly, which is performed on the early warning list of endangered species. Also for the caterpillars of the endangered orchard blossoms tensioner ( Eupithecia Insigniata ) and the rarely occurring Trauerwidderchens ( Aglaope infausta ) is a valuable forage plant represents the Ordinary Amelanchier
Occurrence
The natural range includes the mountains of Central, Southern and Eastern Europe. In the north they are found to Belgium and Central Germany, to the east by Poland and Romania. In the Southern Alps this kind rises to 2000 m. Furthermore, colonized the nature and the mountains of Western Asia and North Africa.
As the site sunny, dry slopes, hems of semi-dry grasslands and clear oak and pine forests are preferred. The Ordinary Amelanchier flourishes like in south-facing slopes on limestone and rock; it is also Spaltenwurzler and Rohbodenpionier and is regarded as characteristic species of rock pear thickets ( Cotoneastro - Amelanchieretum ) within the order of Schlehengebüsche ( Prunetalia ).
Since the 16th century the congregation Amelanchier is also cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens. As a component in hedges near-natural gardens it enjoys increasing popularity in recent times.
Use
The mealy - sweet-tasting fruits can be made into jam.
Leaves and seeds of Amelanchier contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides (ie, cyanide -releasing glycosides ). After eating unripe fruit or large quantities of chewed seeds gastrointestinal discomfort may occur. Dead Ringers Kaute seeds are excreted undigested. After the accidental biting of some seeds but no poisoning symptoms are to be expected - similar to apple seeds, which also contain cyanogenic glycosides.
Subspecies
- Amelanchier ovalis Medik. subsp. ovalis
- Amelanchier ovalis Medik. subsp. embergeri FAVARGER & Stearn
Trivial names
More in part only regional common names for the Ordinary Amelanchier are or were: Butzenbirlesstrauch, Cipler ( Lower Engadine ), Felsenbiren ( Schwaben), fly berry bush, Flühbirenbaum ( Bern, Grisons ), Gamsbeere (Pinzgau, Pongau, throwing), Hirschbirle, Quandelbeerbaum ( Tyrol ), Quantelbeerbaum and Quendelbeeren.