Native Plants

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A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Saturday - May 04, 2013

From: Huntsville, ON
Region: Canada
Topic: Edible Plants, Poisonous Plants, Shrubs
Title: Black chokeberry edible from Huntsville ON
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Can the fruit of the black chokeberry be eaten??

ANSWER:

From a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer on plants poisonous to livestock:

"Do not plant any trees in the rose family. This includes cherries, plums, apples, pears and several other common trees. Under certain conditions, their leaves can be very poisonous to livestock."

Apparently there is sometimes confusion between Photinia melanocarpa (Black chokeberry) and Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry). Both are members of the Rosaceae family and both are native to Ontario. Under the circumstances, we believe you have the name right and, although the plant you are inquiring about is in the Rosaceae family, we believe that is edible but not poisonous. Generally, all parts of plants from the Prunus genus are considered poisonous, but those in the Photinia genus are not.

From earthday coalition:

"The fruit of the black chokeberry, while bitter raw, makes excellent jellies, jams and juices. The berries also provide a natural red dye."

Conclusion: If it is chokeBERRY you want to eat, go right ahead, but be prepared to have some sugar on hand if you don't want to pucker up.

From the Image Gallery

Black chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana