Canadian serviceberry

This shrub or tree may grow from 2 to 8 m tall. In spring, its white flowers, arranged in upright or slightly drooping clusters, are easy to spot. Each flower has 5 green sepals and 5 elongated white petals.

The trunk is covered with smooth bark ranging in colour from reddish brown to greyish. As the tree matures, the bark becomes striated and rougher in texture, taking on shades from light grey to brown. Small openings called lenticels can be seen on the surface; these structures facilitate gas exchange between the inside of the tree and its environment.

The alternate leaves of the Canadian serviceberry are oval, elliptical and finely toothed. They are hairy on both sides when young, and become a smooth green as they mature. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow.

The fruit, having the shape and structure of a small apple, resembles a berry. Its colour ranges from reddish to deep purple.