Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa

Black chokeberry is a deciduous shrub from the Rosaceae family that spreads freely and suckers profusely. The top is often rounded and upright; it tends to become leggy with age.  The fruit is edible though very astringent and is produced from 5-6 flowered clusters that bloom in late spring. The leaves turn red in the fall and will drop for winter. It is native to Eastern North America. Can be used as a shrub in borders or in more open wooded gardens. This plant does well in full sun and partial shade and tolerates a wide variety of soil types including wet boggy soils.  

The genus name, Aronia, is from the Greek word "aria." This is the Greek name for the species of Sorbus, whose fruits are similar to the Chokeberry. The species name, melanocarpa, is the combination of two words. Melano means black and carpa meaning fruit. This is derived from the ripe fruits of this species. The common name, Chokeberry, references its tart and bitter berries. They are edible but are so astringent they may cause choking.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.