Plant
Chokecherry
Prunus virginianaAlso known as Bitter-berry, Virginia Bird Cherry, Western Chokecherry
Chokecherry forms dense thickets along forest edges, stream banks, and prairie borders across North America. Drooping clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom in spring, yielding dense racemes of dark red to purplish-black fruit by late summer. Dozens of bird species and mammals rely on these fruits for autumn migration fuel, while native caterpillars feed heavily on the foliage.
DeciduousNative ShrubWildlife Host
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Tent Caterpillars
- Mule Deer
- Peachtree Borers
ThreatsHabitat loss, invasive pests, black knot fungus
HabitatsForest edges, stream banks, roadsides, shrublands, open woodlands
Life span20–40 years
Classification
- OrderRosales
- FamilyRosaceae
- GenusPrunus
- SpeciesPrunus virginiana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Leaves, stems, and seed kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides; wild berries also have toxic look-alikes.
- Why it is dangerous
- Leaves, twigs, and seed pits contain cyanogenic glycosides that break down into lethal hydrogen cyanide when chewed or ingested in quantity.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognize by serrated oval leaves with petiole glands and drooping racemes of purplish-black fruit.
- What to do
- Observe safely from a distance and never ingest wild plant parts or feed wilted branches to livestock.
Responsible observation
- Spring Blooms: Look for long, drooping racemes of white flowers in late May.
- Leaf Identification: Check petiole bases near the leaf blade for two small raised glands.
- Wildlife Watching: Visit in late summer to spot thrushes and waxwings feeding on dark fruit.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton · cc-by
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