Virginia Tech Dendrology

chokeberry Rosaceae Aronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers. symbol: ARAR7
Leaf: Alternate, simple, elliptical, 2 to 4 inches long, finely serrated margins, shiny dark green above, midrib has stiff, raised dark glands on upper surface (may need a handlens), much paler and fuzzy below, orange-red fall color.
Flower: White, 5 petals, 1/2 inch across, dark anthers, occur in clusters at ends of twig, appearing in spring.
Fruit: Small pome, 1/4 inch, reddish, ripen in late summer to early fall, persistant.
Twig: Slender, reddish brown, generally pubescent, terminal buds long, 1/3 to 1/2 inch (resembles serviceberry), leaf scars narrow.
Bark: Reddish brown, smooth, lenticeled, developing diamond-shaped splits.
Form: Upright shrub to 15 feet, often multi-stemmed.
Looks like: black chokeberry - downy serviceberry - Chickasaw plum - American plum

Additional Range Information: Aronia arbutifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information