Tha name of this species has not been fully resolved. Incomplete herbarium specimens conforming to Amelanchier nitens morphology have been observed from Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, including the type specimen of Amelanchier rubescens Greene. Since this latter species was named in 1900, it may prove to be the correct name for Amelanchier nitens[].

Common Name:

General Information

Amelanchier nitens is a deciduous shrub growing from 2 - 6 metres tall. The plant suckers freely, producing 20 - 150 stems and growing in colonies[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwest N. America - Nevada, Arizona

Habitat

Dry rocky slopes, canyons, stream banks, mountainsides, foothills, high deserts; it is rarely found outside of pinyon pine-juniper community types, often growing adjacent to seasonal streams and washes; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich loamy soil in a sunny position or semi-shade[, ] but thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers an acid or neutral soil.
All members of this genus have edible fruits and, whilst this is dry and uninteresting in some species, in many others it is sweet and juicy. Many of the species have potential for use in the garden as edible ornamentals. The main draw-back to this genus is that birds adore the fruit and will often completely strip a tree before it is fully ripe[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. Grafting onto seedlings of Amelanchier lamarckii or Sorbus aucuparia is sometimes practised in order to avoid the potential problem of hybridizing[].
Seeds of this species are much larger than congenerics (a sample of 25 averaged 7.3 times heavier than 25 seeds from an average eastern North American Amelanchier)[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The pinkish purple fruits can be 8 - 14mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it is best harvested 'green', when the seed is fully formed but before the seed coat has hardened, and then sown immediately in pots outdoors or in a cold frame. If stored seed is obtained early enough in the autumn, it can be given 4 weeks warm stratification before being left out in the winter and it should then germinate in the spring. Otherwise seed can be very slow to germinate, perhaps taking 18 months or more. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a sheltered outdoor position, planting them out once they are 20cm or more tall.
If there is sufficient seed it is best to sow it thinly in an outdoor seedbed[, ]. Grow the seedlings on for two years in the seedbed before planting them out into their permanent positions during the winter.
Layering in spring - takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in late winter. The suckers need to have been growing for 2 years before you dig them up, otherwise they will not have formed roots. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions if required.