Virginia Tech Dendrology

black chokeberry Rosaceae Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott symbol: ARME6
Leaf: Alternate, simple, elliptical to obovate, 1 to 3 inches long, finely serrated margins, shiny dark green above, midrib has stiff, raised dark glands on upper surface (may need a handlens), lacking pubescence below, orange-red fall color.
Flower: White, 5 petals, 1/2 inch across, dark anthers, occur in clusters at ends of twig, appearing in early summer.
Fruit: Small pome, 1/4 inch, black and shiny, ripen in late summer to early fall, somewhat persistant.
Twig: Slender, reddish brown, glabrous, 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 10 feet, readily suckers and is often multi-stemmed.
Looks like: chokeberry - downy serviceberry - Chickasaw plum - American plum

Additional Range Information: Aronia melanocarpa is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 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