North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com>]

Title: Re: [NAFEX] Re: The serviceberry's fruit often overlooked

A. laevis is supposed to grow down to Florida.  "Jennybelle" is a selection of it.
> Given how widely the genus Amelanchier is distributed, it seems possible
> there could be some native forms in your area.  If so, have you looked to
> see if there are any and if they have more rust resistance?  Might be good
> potential for development if there are local, resistant forms.
>
> I sez:
>
>  Good idea.  I think the Amelanchier's are mainly found in cold
> climates.  I tried two species which are said to adapt to the climate here.
> I heard that Dr. Bullard who is just about 100 miles NE of me served members
> a pie made from Juneberries one year. I'll try to get up with him someday.
> There are indigenous mayhaws which survive and reproduce here but the
> berries are too small to be of much interest to those who would like to
> cultivate them for their fruit. They blossom here about the same time as
> plums and are a welcome harbinger of spring.
> Doc Lisenby