Common Chokecherry was chosen for spring interest because of white, fragrant flowers
Common Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
What do you call an abundant, funny fruit?
- A common joke cherry!
Did you know?
- The berries have a bitter taste giving the plant the name “chokecherry”
- The berries are edible but the seeds are poisonous to humans
- The bark of the roots was used by native Americans to treat colds, fever and stomach maladies
- The roots were also used by native Americans to be chewed then placed on wounds to prevent further bleeding
- The stems were boiled by native Americans to make a tea to treat fever
Common Names:
- Virginia Bird Cherry
- Bitter cherry
- Choke cherry
Wildlife Benefits:
- Attracts butterflies as pollinators
- Cover for wildlife
- Nesting site for birds
- Large mammals eat the foliage
- Birds eat the fruits
- Chipmunks, mice, and squirrels eat the seeds
Habitat:
- Woodlands
Size:
- 20-30' tall, with a crown width of 18-25'
Growing Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Dry, clay soils
Select Identification Characteristics:
- Leaf Type: Simple
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Bud Arrangement: Alternate
- Terminal: Single
