Aronia arbutifolia

Red Chokeberry

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Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: March - May
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: September - November

Red Chokeberry is a branching shrub forming clumps by means of stems forming from the roots. It typically grows to a height between 1.8–3.6 meters, but occasionaly may grow as a slender tree up to 6m. Its leaves are finely toothed and hairless above, but tomentose (densely hairy) beneath. Its red fruits are bitterly acidic (though purportedly edible) when eaten raw, hence the common name "chokeberry". However, they are high in pectin and have been used to make thick jams and jellies.

20 April 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	26 April 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	20 April 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	26 April 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA
26 April 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (upperside of new leaf)	26 April 2024 (underside of new leaf) Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	26 April 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (leaves emerging from bud)	31 August 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA
31 August 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (ripening fruit)	31 August 2024 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (ripening fruit)

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