Juneberries (Saskatoons)

Juneberries originated in North America, specifically the midwest and norther prairies of Canada. It prefers cold and dry climates and struggles to grow in soggy conditions. (Ochterski, 2011)  It prefers soil pH conditions of 4.8 to 8.0 in zones 3 through 8.

Juneberries are a perennial which grows back every year.  This plant is a member of the rose family, and is a medium sized shrub, usually less than 1m tall.  The plant’s leaves are oval to circular (2-5 cm tall) with small teeth mainly on the leaves' upper half. (BC Ministry of Forests, n.d.)

Season growth and new leaves bud in early April.  The shrub produces white flowers with five petals in mid-June. Come mid-July berries are ripened and roughly half inch in diameter with up to 12 berries per cluster. Mature fruit is dark purple and holds many soft seeds inside.

Speaking of Saskatoon berries, do you know about Project: misaskwatomina?  This project is to plant misaskatomina (Saskatoon berry shrubs) throughout the Riversdale area to re-Indigenize the ecology and is led by Kevin Wesaquate.

Have you ever heard that raisins are a good source of iron?  Well, Saskatoons have three times as much iron and copper! (Gray, p. 223)

The berries have a sweet and nutty taste and are good in pies, wines, beers, and snack foods.  They're famous for being an importent ingredient in pemmican, which is made with dried powdered meat, lard, and berries.

Nutritionally the berries are similar to blueberries, being high in dietary fiber, riboflavin, iron, and manganese ("Amelanchier alnifolia", n.d.) which are vital to bodily functions including blood and gut health.

The berries are good for a protien boost.  (Gray, p, 223)

Saskatoon berries have been used for upset stomaches, for a mild laxitive, to help digestion, and for earaches.  It has also been used as a contraceptive.  (Belacourt, p. 47)

To treat diarrhea, a drink is made by boiling the buds.  For children, a drink can be made with roots combined with other herbs (Cree Elders, published in Marles et al., p. 228). 

Traditionally this plant is also used to prevent miscarriages, to recover after childbirth, and to help menstrual bleeding. (Belacourt, p. 47).  A traditional Indigenous treatment for these things, and also the transition into menopause, is to boil the berries for a juice and sometimes mix in the plant's inner bark and roots.  (Gray, p, 223)

The plant was also used to treat anemia.

The berries help to reduce inflammation in the body.  (Gray, p. 222)

Saskatoon berries can be combined with other plants to make an exernal wash for children with worms (Plants Growing Along the River, Saskatoon berry).

 

 

The stems of the shrub is hard and hollow making it ideal for tools including arrows, tipi stakes, canoe paddle handles, traditional ceremonial pipe-stems, among other daily tools. (Wild Rose College, 2019)  The stems can be made into walking canes (Dene Elder, published in Marles et al., p. 229) and sweat lodge frames (Métis Elder, published in Marles et al., p. 229).

Blue dye can be made with the boiled berries (Cree Elder, published in Marles et al., p. 229).