Prunus virginiana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Prunus virginiana is a large native deciduous shrub or a small tree. Growing in the wild, it can form thickets, which can become very dense. The spread can originate from the shallow, spreading root system that may form additional plants from the lengthy underground runners. In the wild, it can be found growing in multiple growing conditions in woodlands, ravines, slopes, thickets, and open fields.
When immature, the berries have a puckered texture. These berries have a bitter taste, giving this plant the common name chokeberry.
An important plant for wildlife. The fruits, leaves, seeds, and twigs are used by animals both large and small. Large animals including bear, moose, coyotes, bighorn sheep browse the foliage. Birds eat the fruits, while chipmunks, mice, and squirrels eat the seeds. It is also a host plant for many insects that can destroy the foliage, wood, sap, flowers, and fruit while feeding.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The branches can become damaged and break during ice storms. New growth, wilted leaves, and plants that are damaged are poisonous to cattle and to humans.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Canada Red'
- 'Canada Red'
- 'Canada Red'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Canada Red'
- 'Canada Red'
- 'Canada Red'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- virginiana
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern America
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Large and small animals browse the foliage. Birds eat the fruits and gather twigs and foliage for nexting.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Nesting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 18 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Description:
- The red fruit turns black when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Each petal is oval to orbicular in shape and concave. The green sepals become yellow giving the white flower a yellowish look.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 1.5 to 5 in. egg-shaped leaves with the edge being Serrate. The leaves may fall off in the winter, or remain on the plant in a withered state. Each leaf tapers into a long slender tip. Minimal hair may be found along the veins on the underside of the leaf. When crushed, the leaves have a strong bitter scent.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- A mature tree has a bark that is thin and smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The winter color can be brown, gray, purple, or red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
