Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott
Black chokeberry
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Rosidae Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order Rosales Rose family and eight others
Family Rosaceae Includes apples, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, almonds, roses, meadowsweets, photinias, firethorns, rowans, and hawthorns; many others
Genus Aronia From the Greek aria, which is the specific epithet of a mountain ash (Sorbus aria) which has similar fruit
Species melanocarpa From 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 ⨉ ½-1¾″ (3-9 ⨉ 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
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 6.7 cm)
5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 6.7 cm)
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3″ (12 × 8.4 cm)
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
8/8/2015 · Mt. Wachusett · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm)
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 16 cm)
5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 16 cm)
Older scientific or horticultural names
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 14 Sep 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
8/8/2015 · Mt. Wachusett · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 16 cm)
5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 6 × 3½″ (14 × 9.4 cm)
5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm)
5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm)
5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 6″ (9.4 × 14 cm)
5/28/2021 · Brunswick Commons, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm)
Range: Zones 3-8:
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