Aronia prunifolia, Black Chokeberry, Shrub, Gallon pot

Aronia prunifolia, Black Chokeberry, Shrub

FS-PS, Zone 4, 6-12’ x 6-9’, medium water needs, sand to loam, blooms in May.

Aronia prunifolia, called the Black or Purple chokeberry, is a North American species of shrubs in the rose family. This must surely be about as widespread a wetland shrub as any in Michigan, found in bogs, tamarack swamps, marshes and swampy thickets. A large showy native shrub with dark green leaves, its blooms are white or pink, producing purple berries. The name "chokeberry" comes from the astringency of the fruits, which create the sensation of making one's mouth pucker. Chokeberries are often mistakenly called chokecherries, the common name for Prunus virginiana. Chokeberries, which grow slowly, do well in wetter areas and adapt well to many soil types and conditions. Since the Chokeberry is the host plant for several butterfly species, it provides caterpillars for many species of birds who need caterpillars to feed their young.

It’s berries are a popular food source for migrating and winter birds