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Aronia melanocarpa

Common name:	Black Chokeberry	Family:	Rosaceae
Author:	(Michx.)Elliot.	Botanical references:
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to Florida and Michigan.
Habitat:	Swamps and low woodlands, it is sometimes also found in drier soils[200, 235].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	A. arbutifolia var. atropurpurea[P] A. arbutifolia var. nigra[B,P] A. atropurpurea[P] A. floribunda[P] A. melanocarpa[H] A. melanocarpa [H] A. nigra[B,G,P] A. x prunifolia[G,H,P] Crataegus aronia[H] Crataegus prunifolia[G] Hahnia arbutifolia var. nigra[G] Mespilus arbutifolia var. melanocarpa[G] Mespilus prunifolia[G] Photinia floribunda[G] Photinia melanocarpa[B,G] Pyrus arbutifolia var. atropurpurea[P] Pyrus arbutifolia var. nigra[B,G,P] Pyrus floribunda[G,P] Pyrus melanocarpa[B,G,P] Pyrus nigra[G] Sorbus arbutifolia var. atropurpurea[P] Sorbus melanocarpa[B,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Black Chokeberry [P], Hybrid Chokeberry [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	melanocarpa = black fruited;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Rosales. Rose family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Us

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 2.5m by 3m . It is hardy to zone 4. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Cultivar 'Nero': Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

Fruit; Pectin.

Fruit - cooked. A good flavour but very astringent[183]. The fruit should be fully ripe before being eaten and is best after a frost or two[K]. It makes a good jelly when sugar is added and is also dried and used for making pemmican[183]. The fruit is rich in pectin and can be added to fruits that are low in this substance when making jams etc[183]. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation[201]. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter[200].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Miscellany.

An infusion of the berries has been used in the treatment of colds[257].

Other Uses

Pectin.

The fruit is a source of pectin[183], a substance that is used to thicken jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories.

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist peaty soil in full sun or partial shade[200]. Succeeds in most soils but dislikes shallow chalk[200]. More tolerant of dry soils than other members of this genus[200].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c.
There is at least one cultivar developed for its improved fruit. 'Nero' has fruits twice the size of the species with a vitamin C content of 15 - 30 mg (per 100g?). The fruit is borne in clusters of about 15, it is more flavourful and the yield is about twice that of wild forms[183]. Other cultivars developed mainly for their ornamental value include 'Viking' with extra large berries and 'Aron' with numerous large berries[182].
The sub-species A. melanocarpa elata Rehd. and A. melanocarpa grandifolia (Lindl.)Schneid. are more vigorous than the type species with larger flowers and fruits[200].
This genus is closely related to Sorbus species[200].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in pots outdoors or in a cold frame[113]. Pre-soak stored seed overnight and then cold stratify for 3 months at 2°c[113]. The seed germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[200]. Very easy, they can be planted straight out into their permanent positions.
Layering[200].

Cultivars

'Nero': This cultivar has fruits twice the size of the species with a vitamin C content of 15 - 30 mg (per 100g?). The fruit is borne in clusters of about 15, it is more flavourful and the yield is about twice that of wild forms[183].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Aronia x prunifolia (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Photinia melanocarpa (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

References for aronia melanocarpa (a possible synonym).

[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures
[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[134] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[235] Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

Aronia arbutifolia

Prof. Helmut Halbmayr (zierpflanzen@gartenbau.bmlf.gv.at) Thu Jul 27 22:42:18 2000

Dear Sirs,

we are working with Aronia on our Horticultural College. I found during surfing in the internet the facts about Aronia in PFAF. If you want you should supplement some data:

Cultivars

'Aron' (Denmark, 1985) - 1,5-2 m, leaves 8x5 cm, fruits 10-12 mm

'Autumn Magic' (University of British Columbia, 1996) - 2 m, leaves 5x3 cm, red and yellow autumn color.

'Elata' (syn. var. elata) - 2-3 m, leaves 3-8 x 2-5 mm, fruits 6-8 mm

'Estland' (syn. Eastland)- 2-2,5 m, leaves 6 x 4 cm, fruits 8-10 mm

'Grandiflora' (var. grandiflora) - 2,5 m, leaves 7 x 5 cm, fruits 10-12 mm

'Hugin' (University of Sweden, 1992) - 1-2 m, leaves 5x3 cm, fruits 6-10 mm. Flowers 3 weeks later than the other cultivars.

'Karhumäki' (Finland) - 3m, leaves 8x5 cm, fruits 9-10 mm

'Mandschurica'

'Nero' (Tschechia, 1987) - 3m, leaves 10x8 cm, fruits 9-10 mm. Most importants cultivar for fruit production. Many new crosses with this cultivar.

'Rubina'

'Serina' (Germany, 1987) - 2,5 m, leaves 10x7 cm, fruits 12-13 mm

'Viking' (Finland, 1980) - 2,5 m, leaves 7x4 cm, fruits 10-13 mm

Several Polish new cultivars with numbers are tested in Polan and USA.

Medicinal Use

leaves and fruits against high blood pressure. (Juice can be dangerous for persons with low blood pressure). Fruits against gastritis. Fruits help to excrete heavy metals.

Other uses

The fruit is a source of anthocyanes, substances to color foodstuff, preventing types of cancer.

Prof. Helmut Halbmayr, Federal Horticultural College, Gruenbergstrasse 24, A-1131 Vienna, Austria

Cross references: Genera: Aronia.

Aronia arbutifolia

Helmut (zierpflanzen@gartenbau.bmlf.gv.at) Sun Jul 30 11:56:00 2000

Rich >> We have three different species in the Aronia genus Aronia arbutifolia, Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia prunifolia does this refer to all of then or just one species? >>

Cultivars of Aronia exists from all 3 important species (Aronia melanocarpa, A. x prunifolia, A. arbutifolia). Aronia arbutifolia is only important for cultivars with nice autumn colour. The other two are used for fruit production. In Poland European enterprises plant large new areas with Aronia (jam for joghurt and medical use). Now Americans start in northern China for juice.

Helmut

Cross references: Genera: Aronia.

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