Serviceberry is known as a calendar plant, so faithful is it to seasonal weather patterns. Its bloom is a sign that the ground has thawed. In this folklore, this was the time that mountain roads became passable for circuit preachers, who arrived to conduct church services. It is also a reliable indicator to fisherfolk that the shad are running upstream—or at least it was back in the day when rivers were clear and free enough to support the spawning of shad.

Importance: Kimmerer highlights the Serviceberry's connection to natural rhythms and seasonal cycles, illustrating how Indigenous knowledge and practices are tied to the land. The Serviceberry is not just a plant; it serves as a guide, marking the passage of time and the return of life-giving resources like fish. The reference to the past abundance of shad emphasizes the loss of ecological health, subtly critiquing human impact on the environment...