Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, Sketch Bot. S. Carolina 1: 557 (1821))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (Michx.) Elliott

Bibliography: Sketch Bot. S. Carolina 1: 557 (1821)

Year: 1821

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aronia

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

The Black chokeberry, scientifically known as Aronia melanocarpa, is a remarkable plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. First documented in the early 19th century as part of the botanical records compiled in “Sketch Bot. S. Carolina” in 1821 by the botanist Elliott, this hardy shrub has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

This deciduous shrub is native to the eastern regions of North America, spanning from Eastern Canada down to North Carolina and across the eastern United States. The Black chokeberry thrives in a variety of habitats, from wetlands to dry, open woods, showcasing its adaptability and resilience.

Aronia melanocarpa is well-regarded not only for its ecological benefits but also for its striking visual appeal. In the spring, the shrub adorns itself with clusters of small, white to pinkish flowers that emit a subtle yet pleasant fragrance. As the seasons progress, these blossoms give way to glossy, black fruits that are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins. These berries, though astringent when raw, are often used in jams, jellies, and wines due to their tart yet robust flavor.

The foliage of the Black chokeberry is equally notable. The leaves are simple, dark green, and finely serrated, transforming into vibrant shades of red and orange during the autumn months, making the plant an attractive addition to ornamental gardens and natural landscapes alike.

Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the Black chokeberry holds significant ecological importance. It provides food for various bird species and serves as an excellent foraging plant for pollinators such as bees. Additionally, its hardy nature makes it a popular choice for erosion control and habitat restoration projects.

In summary, Aronia melanocarpa, or the Black chokeberry, is a plant of both beauty and utility. Its rich history, coupled with its ecological and ornamental value, ensures that it remains a cherished species within the diverse plant life of North America.

Common Names

Deu: apfelbeere, kahle apfelbeere
Pol: aronia czarna
Eng: black chokeberry
Lit: juodavaisė aronija
Dan: sortfrugtet surbær
Swe: svartaronia
Fra: aronie à fruits noirs, aronia gueules-noires, aronia noir, aronie à fruit noir, gueules noires
Nno: svartsurbær
Nob: svartsurbær
Cym: llwyn aeron tagu du, llwyn aeron tagu duon
En: Black chokeberry
Az: Qarameyvə aroniya
Ba: Ҡара миләш
Be: Чарнаплодная рабіна
Bg: Черна арония
Zh: 野櫻莓
Cs: Temnoplodec černoplodý
Da: Sortfrugtet Surbær
Nl: Zwarte appelbes
Eo: Nigra aronio
Et: Tume aroonia
Fi: Musta-aronia
Fr: Aronie à fruits noirs, Aronia gueules-noires, Aronia noir, Aronie à fruit noir, Gueules noires, Aronia à fruits noirs
De: Apfelbeere, Kahle Apfelbeere, Schwarze Apfelbeere, Schwarze Eberesche
Hu: Fekete törpeberkenye
Is: Logalauf
Kk: Қара жемісті итжүзім
Ko: 검은아로니아
Lv: Melnaugļu aronija
Lt: Juodavaisė aronija
No: Svartsurbær
Nb: Svartsurbær
Nn: Svartsurbær
Os: Сау цъуй
Pl: Aronia czarna
Ru: Арония черноплодная
Sk: Arónia čiernoplodá
Sv: Svartaronia
Zh-tw: 野櫻莓
Tt: Кара миләш
Uk: Горобина чорноплідна
Cy: Llwyn aeron tagu du, Llwyn Aeron Tagu Duon

Synonyms

• Pyrus arbutifolia var. nigra (Willd.)
• Aronia nigra var. decumbens (Zabel)
• Sorbus grandifolia ((Lindl.) Heynh.)
• Mespilus arbutifolia var. melanocarpa (Michx.)
• Aronia arbutifolia var. melanocarpa ((Michx.) Torr.)
• Aronia arbutifolia var. nigra ((Willd.) F.Seym.)
• Pyrus grandifolia (Lindl.)
• Adenorachis melanocarpa ((Michx.) Nieuwl.)
• Aronia grandifolia ((Lindl.) Sweet)
• Sorbus melanocarpa ((Michx.) Heynh.)
• Pyrus nigra (Sarg.)
• Aronia melanocarpa var. typica (C.K.Schneid.)
• Photinia melanocarpa ((Michx.) K.R.Robertson & J.B.Phipps)
• Aronia melanocarpa var. subpubescens ((Lindl.) C.K.Schneid.)
• Pyrus melanocarpa ((Michx.) Willd.)
• Aronia melanocarpa var. grandifolia ((Lindl.) C.K.Schneid.)
• Hahnia arbutifolia var. nigra (Medik.)
• Sorbus melanocarpa var. grandifolia ((Lindl.) Rehder)
• Aronia melanocarpa var. elata (Rehder)
• Sorbus melanocarpa var. subpubescens ((Lindl.) Heynh.)
• Aronia nigra var. grandifolia ((Lindl.) Dippel)
• Aronia nigra ((Willd.) Koehne)
• Sorbus pubescens ((Dippel) Hedl.)
• Mespilus arbutifolia var. nigra ((Willd.) Britton)
• Pyrus melanocarpa var. subpubescens (Lindl.)
• Pyrus arbutifolia subsp. nigra ((Willd.) Ehrh.)
• Pyrus arbutifolia var. melanocarpa (E.L.Rand & Redfield)
• Sorbus melanocarpa var. typica (C.K.Schneid.)
• Aronia nigra pubescens (Dippel)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by REKLOV RELLÜM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2019 by Maud Guérin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2019 by fif68 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by Kate Senatskaya (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Daniel Peters (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2022 by Alex Weidner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Arnaud Baret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Émilie Morissette (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2019 by Kater Billa (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2021 by Natalya (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 16, 2019 by Perry Perry Rancourt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by raphaelh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 1, 2019 by Katalea K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Gretchen V. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by Sjo Sjo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2021 by käferundblatt.de. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by raphaelh (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5363627)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1109609-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth