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Aronia melanocarpa
Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott
Black Chokeberry
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Aronia arbutifolia var. nigra, Aronia nigra, Photinia melanocarpa, Pyrus arbutifolia var. nigra, Pyrus melanocarpa, Sorbus melanocarpa
USDA Symbol: ARME6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A small, mound-shaped shrub with slender, multiple stems and reddish-brown bark. Glossy, dark green foliage turns crimson-red in fall. Flat-topped clusters of white, five-petaled flowers with pink anthers are followed by persisent, blackish-purple fruit. 3-6 ft. tall.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Pome
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Black, Purple.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: White to pinkish, with yellowish to pink to purplish red anthers.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Nf. to MN, s. to GA mts., TN & AR
Native Habitat: Lowlands; bogs; dunes; bluffs
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Very flood tolerant. Suckers profusely. No serious disease or insect problems.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Intermediate food source for birds.Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings. Softwood cuttings root without hormone treatment.Seed Collection: To avoid loss of fruits to birds, pick the fruits as soon as they ripen. Seeds may be removed immediately and dried or the fruits may be dried with seeds inside.
Seed Treatment: 120 days of cold-moist stratification will break seed dormancy.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Aronia melanocarpa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Aronia melanocarpa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aronia melanocarpa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-09Research By: TWC Staff