Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rosales>Rosaceae>Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Ell.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

A fairly common upright, open shrub of the Mountain region of North Carolina, with cherry-like leaves, white flower clusters in spring and black pomes (fruits) in fall and winter.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

The leaves are glabrous (hairless) and have a reddish tint to them when new.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

The dark hairs on the leaf midrib are a distinctive feature of Aronia.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

The branches of the inflorescence are glabrous (smooth), unlike those of our other two species of Aronia.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Similar to the widespread Red Chokeberry (A. arbutifolia), but with black fruits, glabrous twigs, and long-pointed (acuminate) leaves. Red Chokeberry has red fruits, pubescent twigs, and shorter-pointed leaves. The rarer Purple Chokeberry (A. prunifolia) has dark purplish fruits, but pubescent twigs and shorter-pointed leaves.

Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

The genus Aronia is sometimes lumped in with Sorbus, Pyrus, or even Photinia.

Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Bark detail.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

More information:
Connecticut Botanical Society
Hort.net
NC State
University of Connecticut

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