Edible Plants of the North Cariboo
Saskatoon
Submitted by: Heloise Dixon-Warren
Edible Plants of the North Cariboo
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Saskatoon
| Submitted by | Heloise Dixon-Warren |
| Plant Names - Common | Saskatoon | |
| Plant Name - Latin (Scientific) | Amelanchier alnifolia | |
| Plant Name - Indigenous | Secwepemc | speqpeq7úw̓i |
| Dakehl | k’emai | |
| Tsilhqot’in | k’emai | |
| Other English Names | serviceberry, juneberry, rocky mountain blueberry. | |
| Botanical Description | A small to large shrub, or small tree, belonging to the Rose family; a deciduous perennial closely related to apple, hawthorn and mountain ash |
|
| Leaves | Soft green oval leaves | |
| Stems | Grey to reddish bark and can reach up to 5 meters in height | |
| Flowers | Clusters of white flowers in the spring | |
| Seeds | The berries can be purple to black in colour; seeds disseminated by birds and mammals | |
| Habitat and Range | Native to western Canada. It grows on dry, open, warm slopes at low to mid elevations. It does not like shade and is typically found in open forests. It can be found Canadian Prairies, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Alaska, British Columbia and the northwestern and north central United States | |
| Parts Used | The fruit is used in soups, stews, meat dishes, pemmican and dried cakes. Saskatoon berry juice is used to cure stomach ailments, and is a mild laxative. The juice is also used to make eye drops and ear drops. Arrows and pipes can be made from the stems of the saskatoon plant | |
| Harvesting Practices | Harvest berries when dark purple, typically mid summer | |
| Special Considerations / Notes | Important food source for birds and bears | |
