About Amelanchier ramosissima (Nutt.) J.F.Morales
This species, previously described under the synonym Peraphyllum ramosissimum, is a shrub that can grow up to 3 metres (10 ft) tall. Its simple leaves reach up to 3.5 centimetres (1+1⁄2 in) in length; leaves grow very closely together on short shoots, but are well spaced apart on longer shoots. Like most other flowering plants in the Rosaceae family, this species has 5 petals, 5 sepals, and radially symmetric flowers. Flowers have roughly 15 to 20 free stamens, and petals range in color from white to rose. The fruit is a yellowish to purplish pome that measures about 1 centimetre (1⁄2 in) wide. It grows in the U.S. states of Washington, California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, most commonly in pine and juniper woodlands. Within California, it occurs in the High Cascades, High Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert sky islands. The ripe pome is edible and has a sweet flavor, but leaves a bitter aftertaste.
