Scientific Family
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Prunus virginica
Other common names
common chokecherry
Virginia chokecherry
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Prunus serotina
Small upright tree often forming shrubby thickets. Trunk up to 8 inches in diameter. Capable of producing new trees by suckering.
Leaves rounded at their base, soft hairs or smooth, blades occasionally glandular beneath; white flowers in long slender clusters on short branches; fleshy fruit with thin skin and a central stone.
Height
25 feet
Width
25 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found in coniferous forests and heavily wooded areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
8000
Leaves
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Shiny green above with lighter green below. Elliptical to 4 inches long by 2 inches wide and with fine saw-toothed margins.
Flowers
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
5 rounded petals to 1/2 inch wide in cylindrical cluster to 4 inches long.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Dark red to black
Fruit type
Berry-like
Clusters of dark red to black juicy berries (drupes) to 3/8 inch in diameter.