Chokecherry

Chokecherry (Prunus Virginiana – Wikipedia) is a species of bird cherry native to North America. Chokecherries’ is a shrub, native from mid-Ohio to mid-Canada.

Chokecherry leaf is oval 1 to 4 inches long and 1/2 to 2 inches wide. The leaf is dark green above with a paler underside.

Chokecherry flowers are small, white, 5-petaled blossoms that appear in dense, cylindrical, drooping clusters (racemes) in mid-spring. The racemes are 1-1/2 to 4-1/4 inches long, eventually growing up to 6 inches. The fragrant flowers are a key food source for pollinators before producing reddish-purple to black fruit.

Chokecherry berries are small, astringent, drupes ranging from bright red to dark purple/black when ripe. Many wildlife, including birds, deer and game animals, eat the berries. The berries are popular for making jelly, syrup, wine, and pie due to their complex, tart flavor when cooked with sweeteners.