THE MEXICAN SERVICEBERRY (AMELANCHIER DENTICULATE): A NEW POTENTIAL BERRY FRUIT CROP FROM SEMI-ARID AREAS

In recent years the market for berries has increased for fruits with antioxidant compounds that may play an important role in preventing diseases and improving health.
The Mexican Amelanchier denticulate, which is commonly named “Membrillo cimarrón”, has potential for becoming a new berry crop.
However, there are no ethnobotanical studies for this crop, and this study was initiated to collect information about the uses of A. denticulate in Central Mexico.
This species grows in semiarid conditions and preliminary information indicates that it does not tolerate high water supply and may abort fruits under these conditions.
Although preliminary observation gives some insight about the optimal conditions for this fruit crop, more detailed studies for improving agronomic practices are needed.
The fruit consumption of Mexican serviceberry is limited to its natural distribution area in both the wild and in backyards.
This fruit is very much appreciated by people in these areas, and it is used to make jellies, marmalades, and other typical candies for home use and for selling in local markets. A. denticulate is also used as a wood source.
The wood is appreciated both for its good combustion characteristics, and also as a building material for construction.
Moreover, the Mexican serviceberry is used as a fodder plant for feeding goats, and many people consider the milk from goats that have been fed with Mexican serviceberry to be of better quality.

XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): III International Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources

C.A. Núñez-Colín , M.A. Hernández-Martínez

native Mexican plants, Rosaceae, Tlaxistle, Membrillo cimarrón (wild quince)

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.918.120