Red chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia
Synonyms: Crataegus densiflora, Mespilus arbutifolia, Mespilus pumila, Aronia arbutifolia f. glabra, Aronia depressa, Aronia pumila, Mespilus arbutifolia var. erythrocarpa, Pyrus arbutifolia var. glabra, Pyrus arbutifolia, Sorbus depressa, Halmia tomentosa var. pyrifolia, Aronia arbutifolia var. glabra, Aronia arbutifolia var. tomentosa, Pyrus arbutifolia subsp. rubra, Pyrus arbutifolia var. oblongifolia, Aronia arbutifolia f. macrophylla, Aronia arbutifolia var. pumila, Pyrus capitata, Mespilus montana, Hahnia arbutifolia var. rubra, Sorbus arbutifolia f. intermedia, Pyrus densiflora, Aronia arbutifolia var. depressa, Sorbus pubens, Aronia arbutifolia f. macrocarpa, Pyrus pubens, Photinia pyrifolia, Aronia densiflora, Pyrus arbutifolia var. macrophylla, Aronia pubens, Sorbus densiflora, Aronia arbutifolia f. leiocalyx, Pyrus arbutifolia var. serotina, Adenorachis arbutifolia, Pyrus arbutifolia var. pumila, Sorbus arbutifolia var. depressa, Aronia pyrifolia, Sorbus arbutifolia, Pyrus depressa, Aronia densa, Aronia arbutifolia var. baenitziana, Pyrus grandiflora, Pyrus arbutifolia var. erythrocarpa, Pyrus arbutifolia var. alba, Sorbus arbutifolia var. baenitziana, Hahnia arbutifolia, Amelanchier chinensis, Pyrus arbutifolia var. intermedia
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Botanical Description
Aronia arbutifolia, commonly called red chokeberry, is a deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae family, native to wetlands, swamp margins, bogs and moist open woods of eastern North America from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to eastern Texas. It typically grows 2 to 4 metres tall with an upright, multi-stemmed habit and a tendency to sucker into open colonies. The leaves are alternate, simple, narrowly elliptic to obovate, 4 to 8 cm long, with finely serrate margins and a felted, greyish-white pubescence on the underside; the upper surface is dark green and dull, turning brilliant red and orange in autumn. In late spring the plant produces flat-topped corymbs of small white to pale pink five-petalled flowers with reddish-purple anthers, borne at the tips of short shoots. The fruits are small, glossy, bright red pomes 5 to 8 mm in diameter, ripening in early autumn and persisting on the plant well into winter; they are intensely astringent and rich in tannins.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.