Chokecherry Leaves

Choke Cherry Information ... more

by Shirley Sirois

Title

Chokecherry Leaves

Artist

Shirley Sirois

Medium

Photograph - Photographs Digital

Description

Choke Cherry Information

Prunus virginiana - Choke cherry sticks were used by Aboriginal Peoples for roasting game. The wood did not burn easily and it added spice to the meat.

Other names

in Latin: Prunus virginiana L. (var. melanocarpa [A. Nels.] Sarg.)


in English: common chokecherry, wild cherry, chokeberry


In French: cerisier a grappes



Chipewyn: j?y? (?berry that is hard?), j?D? y?


In Cree: takwehiminan (?berry that is crushed?)


Prunus is from the Greek ?prounos?, and ancient name for the plum tree. The species name virginiana means ?of Virginia?. The common name, choke cherry, was given because of the bitter and astringent taste of the berries.


Taxonomy

Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Description

Bush or small tree, 2 m to 5 m tall, and the trunk up to 4 cm wide.

Leaves: Leaves of choke cherry are dark green above and lighter underneath, 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm long, egg-shaped or broadly oval with a pointed end, and have sharply-toothed edges. Their shape ? widest above the middle of the leaf with a short pointed tip ? distinguishes the plant from pin cherry, whose leaves are widest below the middle and taper gradually to a point.


Flowers: Flowers are white, each 1 cm to 1.5 cm across, and hang in dense popsicle-shaped clusters up to 15 cm long (about 35 flowers). Each flower has 5 petals.


Fruit: Berries are red, ripening to bluish black, less than 1 cm in diameter, and have a fairly large stone. The fruit hangs off the branches in a long, drooping cluster of 6-12 berries.




The bark of the choke cherry tree is grey-brown or reddish. Bruised twigs give off a bitter odor of almonds. This is the only member of the genus without a grayish coating that wears off.

Choke cherry buds (in winter) are sharply pointed and 3 to 4 mm long. The bud scales are dark brown with pale edges.


Distribution

Choke Cherry Distribution Map - Alberta

Widespread throughout Alberta where there is enough moisture for the shrubs to grow.

Habitat

Choke cherry grows in aspen groves, ravines, sand hills, rocky and open woodlands, and the edges of creeks.

Uploaded

December 17th, 2013