Photos: © Doug McGrady

The July Mystery Plant is a globally rare species found growing in sunny, dry and sandy habitats, primarily along the Northeast Atlantic coastal region from Virginia to Nova Scotia. This low growing shrub reaches 4-5 feet in height and can be distinguished from related species in similar habitats by its small 5-petaled, spoon-shaped white flowers blooming in short racemes in April-May followed by edible fleshy dark blue to black berries which ripen in June-July. The leaves are alternate, finely-toothed, glabrous and shiny (to 1 1/2” long). The flower petals sometimes bear pollen directly on their margins (an uncommon phenomenon known as andropetaly). While this plant is rare it’s close cousin is a common small tree with white blossoms in spring.

It is…

Botanical Name: Amelanchier nantucketensis
Common Name: Nantucket shadbush or serviceberry
Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
Habitat: sunny, dry and sandy habitats, primarily along the Northeast Atlantic coastal region from Virginia to Nova Scotia.

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