WSU Clark County Extension
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Black Chokeberry

Scientific name: Aronia melanocarpa
Taxonomy
Family:Rosaceae
Type:Deciduous shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 8
Plant Characteristics
Height:5 ft
Width:4 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:May
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Black chokeberry is an interesting deciduous foundation shrub noted for its spring bloom, fall color and berries which the birds love.

  Morphology:
Black chokeberry is an open, upright, spreading, somewhat rounded but leggy, deciduous shrub which typically grows 3-6' tall. In the spring, white flowers form. Though they are small (.3”), they form in striking clumps. Latter, flowers give rise to shiny blackish-purple fruit which grow in size to the size of blueberry fruit, turning a blackish purple color. The local song birds quickly find the berries and consume them all. Leaves are dark green and shiny above, and lighter below. With the shorter days of fall, the leaves turn a very nice purplish red color before they are shed for the winter.

  Adaptation:
Also effective grouped or massed in native plant gardens, open woodland or naturalized areas where its colonial growth habit need not be restricted. It has a good ability to withstand wet conditions, making it suitable for growing along ponds, streams or water gardens. While the fruit are too tart to be eaten fresh, it can be processed into jams and jellies. European countries are currently doing so. Chokeberry sets fruit that are a natural source of pectin, a substance that is used to thicken jams.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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