Snowy Mespilus / Serviceberry (Amelanchier ovalis) seeds

The serviceberry is a rather rare wild shrub that often occurred as a small fruit plant in gardens in former days. It can reach up to four metres in height, already bears beautiful leaves in summer which turn red in autumn and doesn't shape any thorns although it's rated among the sloes. The lush, white heyday which gives it the name Snowy Mespilus begins in March, before the formation of foliage. The common serviceberry is no longer primarily known as useful wood but often used as a solitaire or hedge for natural gardens as it takes well to cutting.

Many garden owners don't know that the small fruits, which ripen from light red to dark red, purple, or blue, are edible - but as soon as they are fully ripened, the sweet, slightly floury, purple berries can be eaten raw and remind of blueberries in taste. However, they contain small, hard seeds that can lightly disturb the taste when they are eaten raw. They are delicious as jams or for fruit sauces. Dried, they can be used as a raisin substitute in cakes and sweet biscuits, which has given the shrub its name.