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Prunus virginiana L.

Common chokecherry, chokecherry

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
GenusPrunusIncludes plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and almonds
Speciesvirginiana“From Virginia”

About plant names...

Chokecherries are widespread natives of North America.

Identification: Chokecherries are small trees up to about 18′ (5.5 m) high, with white flowers and profuse berries that may be bright red or black. Don't confuse chokecherries with chokeberries:

 

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

7/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich Dirt Road, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

 
Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’
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Prunus virginiana
Common Name

red chokeberry

common chokecherry
Plant 6-15′ (1.8-4.6 m) high A large shrub or small tree up to 18′ (5.5 m) high
Flowers   Bunches ("racemes") of 15-30 white flowers, each about ½″ (1.3 cm) in size
Leaves Leaves turn deep ruby red in fall. Fine serrations, dark above and pale green underneath
Fruit Red, about ¼-⅜″ (6.3-9.5 mm) in diameter, very sour Bright red to dark red or black, ¼-⅝″ (6.3-15 mm) in diameter, extremely sour
Range/ Zones

USDA Zones: 4-9

Habitats   Moist woods; stream banks; prairie hillsides; fence rows; rocky bluffs; roadsides
Type Cultivar Wild

 

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

From the USDA Plants Database.

Online References:

Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods

Wikipedia

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Montana Plant Life

The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

CalPhotos

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/16/2010 · By Constance B. Kent

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/21/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

4/25/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

7/22/2021 · Mitchell Field, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 28 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

8/13/2017 · Burges Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

8/13/2017 · Burges Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/28/2023 · Giant’s Stairs, Bailey Island, Maine

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

7/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich Dirt Road, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

 

Prunus virginiana description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Oct 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

6/29/2006 · By Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

6/9/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

8/13/2017 · Burges Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

7/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich Dirt Road, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 23 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

7/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich Dirt Road, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

8/24/2023 · Morse Mountain, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

6/26/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

7/22/2021 · Mitchell Field, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 16 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (28 × 18 cm)

Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry, chokecherry)

6/9/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Range:

About this map...