Black Chokeberry
(Aronia melanocarpa)
Left: Aronia melanocarpa in the ASMSA garden fall 2023.
Above: Aronia melanocarpa with fruits and orange leaves in the fall.
Plant Characteristics
Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:
Black Chokeberry is best grown in full sun to partial shade, with a medium amount of moisture. It is fairly adaptable, and can be effectively maintained in a variety of soil types.
Growth Habit/Description:
Bushes can grow quite large, 3-8 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide. Leaves are dark green and have finely-toothed margins. White flowers bloom around May, and fruit blackish-purple berries in autumn. They spread quickly, especially in cultivated environments.
Bloom Season:
Clusters of white flowers bloom around May.
Fall and/or Winter Interest?
Yes. Leaves turn red-orange in autumn, and blackish-purple berries provide food for birds in winter. Berries are also edible and often made into jams, tea, and wine.
Distribution
Habitat: Black Chokeberry is found in Newfoundland and Labrador, down the east coast, to Georgia, and as far west as Arkansas and Minnesota. It prefers low, wet areas, thick forests, bogs and swamps.
Native to Arkansas? Yes
Native to Garland County? Yes
Endemic to Arkansas? No
Ecological Value
Host Plant for Caterpillars?
Yes. Some species include coral hairstreak and Catocala praeclara.
Other Known Ecological Value?
Yes. They are browsed by deer. Berries provide winter food for birds and other wildlife. The flowers attract bees (including green metallic bees).
Other Interesting Facts
Origin of Name: Genus aronia originates from the Greek aria, and species name comes from melano (“black”) and carpa (“fruit”), referring to the black berries on the bush.
Related Plant Species: Aronia arbutifolia, also known as Red Chokeberry, nearly indistinguishable from Black Chokeberry, other than the berries having a reddish color.
Use For Food/Medicine:
Often made into jellies, jams, tea, wine, and syrups.
References
Weisenhorn, J. Extension educator, Beth Berlin and Kathy Zuzek . c 2021. Black Chokeberry. University of Minnesota. [Cited 2023, Sept 20]. Available from: https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/black-chokeberry
Campbell, S. Sharon Yiesla. c 2023. Black Chokeberry. The Morton Arboretum. [Cited 2023, Sept 20]. Available from:
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/black-chokeberry/
Makin, J. Aronia Melanocarpa. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. University of Texas at Austin. [Cited 2023, Oct 2]. Available from:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARME6
Beuerlein, K. c 2021. Get to Know Your Larval Hosts. Better Backyards for Birds. [Cited 2023, Oct 2]. Available from:
Holdcraft, M. c 2023. Chokeberry, Black, Aronia melanocarpa. Leaves for Wildlife. [Cited 2023, Oct 2]. Available from:
Last edited by Evan Fowlkes, October 2023.