Aronia melanocarpa ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ Photinia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry

General

An attractive shrub that will grow in a variety of conditions. The berries are edible, but are not pleasant to eat. A food source for many species of birds.

Plant Description

Black chokeberry is a medium size shrub growing to ten feet. Delicate white or pinkish flowers bloom in the spring in clusters of five or six. The dark, shiny navy-blue berries grow in small clusters. Foliage is fairly dense, with rounded, elliptical, slightly shiny alternate leaves, which will turn a bright red in the fall.

Height (ft)
6-10

Spread (ft)
6

Soil moisture
Variable, well-drained, moist or dry

Soil types
Medium to Coarse

Wetland indicator
FAC

Shade tolerance
Full Sun to Partial Shade

Bloom color
White or Pinkish

Bloom period
Spring

Fall conspicuous
Yes

Anaerobic tolerance
Medium

Drought tolerance
Medium

Salinity tolerance
None

Self-Pollinating?

Yes

Range

Northeastern United States, extending southwest into Virginia and Tennessee, and northwest to Wisconsin and Minnesota

Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]

Additional Information

According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the Abnaki have eaten the berries as part of their diet. The Potawatomi have eaten the berries as well as used an infusion of the berries to fight off colds.