Family: Rosaceae, Rose view all from this family
Description Shrub or small tree, often forming dense thickets, with dark red or blackish chokecherries.
Height: 20' (6 m).
Diameter: 6" (15 cm).
Leaves: 1 1/2-3 1/4" (4-8 cm) long, 5/8-1 1/2" (1.5-4 cm) wide. Elliptical; finely and sharply saw-toothed; slightly thickened. Shiny dark green above, light green and sometimes slightly hairy beneath; turning yellow in autumn. Leafstalks slender, usually with 2 gland-dots.
Bark: brown or gray; smooth or becoming scaly.
Twigs: brown, slender, with disagreeable odor and bitter taste.
Flowers: 1/2" (12 mm) wide; with 5 rounded white petals; in unbranched clusters to 4" (10 cm) long; in late spring.
Fruit: a chokecherry 1/4-3/8" (6-10 mm) in diameter; shiny dark red or blackish skin; juicy, astringent or bitter pulp; large stone; maturing in summer.
Warning The seeds of all Prunus species, found inside the fruits, contain poisonous substances and should never be eaten. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil. Wilted foliage of this and other cherries occasionally contains hydrocyanic acid that can poison livestock.
Habitat Moist soils, especially along streams in mountains, forest borders, clearings and roadsides.
Range N. British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to W. North Carolina, and west to S. California; to 8000' (2438 m) in the Southwest.
Discussion As the common name suggests, chokecherries are astringent or puckery, especially when immature or raw; but they can be made into preserves and jelly. Sometimes divided into three geographic varieties based on minor differences of leaves and fruits. Tent caterpillars (Malacosoma) often construct their silvery webs on the branches of this species.
