Western chokeberry
Prunus virginiana subsp. demissa

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub or small tree. It grows 3-6 m high. A clump of bushes often grow together forming a thicket. The leaves are rounded at the base. They are widest above the middle. They are dark green. The flowers are white and in cylinder shaped clusters. They are near the ends of branches. The fruit are almost black. They are 0.8-1.2 cm across.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

Temperate. It grows in moist sites.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are used fresh or dried. They are also used for syrups, jams, jellies, soups and wine. The fruit with seeds were dried, crushed and soaked in water with flour and sugar to make a sauce.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cerasus demissa Nutt.; Prunus demissa (Nutt.) D. Dietr.; Prunus demissa (Nutt.) Walp.; Prunus virginiana var. demissa (Nutt.) Torr.;