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Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott

Black chokeberry

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderRosalesRose family and eight others
FamilyRosaceaeIncludes apples, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, almonds, roses, meadowsweets, photinias, firethorns, rowans, and hawthorns; many others
GenusAroniaFrom the Greek aria, which is the specific epithet of a mountain ash (Sorbus aria) which has similar fruit
SpeciesmelanocarpaFrom melano, “black,” and carpa, “fruit”

About plant names...

Black chokeberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It prefers wet areas.

Plants: Shrubs are 3-10' (91-304 cm) high and 3-6' (91-182 cm) around.

Leaves: Glossy, elliptic to obovate, finely toothed, 1-3½" (3-9 cm) × ½-1¾" (1.5-5 cm). Leaves turn bright red in the fall.

Flowers: Clusters of 5-6 white flowers. Each flower has five petals. Flowers appear in May.

Fruits: Produces large clusters of shiny deep purple or black berries. Berries are ⅛-¼" (5-7.6 mm) in size.

Edibility: Edible, but extremely tart, hence the common name “chokeberry.” Nothing enough sugar cannot cure.

Medical: This has been actively researched for at least 15 years, for its hepatoprotective (liver-protective), gastroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. It shows bacteriostatic activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and an antiviral activity against Type A influenza. It also shows promise against breast cancer.

Online References:

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

Wikipedia

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine
≈ 4 × 2½" (10 × 6.7 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine
≈ 4 × 2½" (10 × 6.7 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine
≈ 5 × 3" (12 × 8.4 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

8/8/2015 · Mt. Wachusett
≈ 8 × 6" (20 × 14 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine
≈ 4½ × 6" (11 × 14 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 7" (11 × 16 cm)

Aronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers. var. nigra (Willd.) Seymour

Aronia nigra (Willd.) Koehne

Mespilus arbutifolia L. var. melanocarpa Michx.

Photinia melanocarpa (Michx.) K.R. Robertson & Phipps

Pyrus arbutifolia (L.) L. f. var. nigra Willd.

Pyrus melanocarpa (Michx.) Willd.

Sorbus melanocarpa (Michx.) Heynh.

 

Aronia melanocarpa description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 5 Sep 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


  

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

8/8/2015 · Mt. Wachusett
≈ 4½ × 7" (11 × 16 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine
≈ 2½ × 3" (7.3 × 7.7 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 11 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 6" (12 × 14 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine
≈ 7 × 4½" (16 × 11 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine
≈ 3 × 4" (8.1 × 10 cm)

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry)

5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine
≈ 7 × 4½" (16 × 11 cm)

Range: Zones 3-8:

About this map...