FARGO (AP) - North Dakota State University researchers say they can keep a secret.

They're asking people to help them find wild Juneberry patches so they can study the plants and produce new varieties of the blueberry-like fruit for commercial development.

People who know of Juneberry patches often keep the location to themselves.

"We'd just like a little help. And yes, we'll keep the location secret," said Joe Zeleznik, an NDSU Extension Service forester involved in the research project.

Juneberries, which can be made into jams, jellies, syrup and pies, are found in the wild across the state, usually in secluded areas.

Most of the available commercial Juneberry varieties come from Canada, where the berry is called Saskatoon. It also is known as Serviceberry.

Importing Canadian plants involves a lot of paperwork, and the plants cost $3 to $5 each, Zeleznik said. He wants to find Juneberry plants in North Dakota and develop the state's own varieties.

Researchers would like to find plants this summer so Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, an NDSU associate professor, can replant some of them in a common test plot next spring.

Developing a new variety will take at least 10 years, researchers say.

Someone who tells researchers about a plant that is developed into a commercial variety will get a reward - possibly cash or naming rights to the new variety, researchers say.

A handful of producers grow Juneberries commercially in the state.

Dan Kelner, of Velva, began growing Juneberries a decade ago. He now has about 3½ acres of them. Homesteader's Restaurant in Minot started serving Juneberry pies three years ago, and demand is growing, owner Dean Aberle said.

On Monday, Aberle said, the restaurant went through all eight of its Juneberry pies and could have sold more.