Aronia melanocarpaIndiana Native
Black Chokeberry

Previously known as: Photinia melanocarpa

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 217

Genus:

Aronia (Chokeberry) 7

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Clump-forming 18

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 236

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 846

Flower Notes:

White (White to pinkish-white, 5-petaled flowers in clusters in spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous dark green leaves); Red-Violet (Wine-red to purplish-red fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

Brown (pubescent, finally glabrous)

Fruit Notes:

Black (Glossy, purplish-black berries (0.33-0.5" dia.))

Ultimate Height:

3-5 feet

Ultimate Spread:

3-5 feet

Bloom Times:

May 208

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium 211

Soil Notes:

Prefers well-drained, moist, loamy soils, but adaptable

Range:

Eastern North America

Maintenance:

Low 282

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are alternate, simple, obovate and acuminate with fine serrations, at 1-3" in length and 0.75- 2" in width. Dark glands are present along the midrib on the upper side of the leaf. Both twigs and leaves are glabrous, unlike Aronia arbutifolia.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Chokeberry

Special Characteristics:

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 188

Wet Soil Tolerant 110

Additional Information

This Indiana native shrub is similar to the Red Chokeberry in habit and form, but differs in that the Black Chokeberry is larger, has black-colored fruits, broader leaves, and generally larger flowers. Place in a higher light location for the best flower and fruit display. Best used for naturalizing, mass plantings, and wetland reclamation projects. The berries are edible, but only palatable when used in jellies and jams.

Plant Photo Gallery

Flower Buds

Stem

Leaf

Unripe Fruit

Flowers

Habit - Winter

When Aronia melanocarpa has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 flowering not present	Week 2 flowering not present	Week 3 flowering not present	Week 4 flowering not present	Week 5 flowering not present	Week 6 flowering not present	Week 7 flowering not present	Week 8 flowering not present	Week 9 flowering not present	Week 10 flowering not present	Week 11 flowering not present	Week 12 flowering not present	Week 13 flowering not present	Week 14 flowering not present	Week 15 flowering not present	Week 16 flowering present	Week 17 flowering present	Week 18 flowering present	Week 19 flowering present	Week 20 flowering not present	Week 21 flowering not present	Week 22 flowering not present	Week 23 flowering not present	Week 24 flowering not present	Week 25 flowering not present	Week 26 flowering not present	Week 27 flowering not present	Week 28 flowering not present	Week 29 flowering not present	Week 30 flowering not present	Week 31 flowering not present	Week 32 flowering not present	Week 33 flowering not present	Week 34 flowering not present	Week 35 flowering not present	Week 36 flowering not present	Week 37 flowering not present	Week 38 flowering not present	Week 39 flowering not present	Week 40 flowering not present	Week 41 flowering not present	Week 42 flowering not present	Week 43 flowering not present	Week 44 flowering not present	Week 45 flowering not present	Week 46 flowering not present	Week 47 flowering not present	Week 48 flowering not present	Week 49 flowering not present	Week 50 flowering not present	Week 51 flowering not present	Week 52 flowering not present

Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 fruiting not present	Week 2 fruiting not present	Week 3 fruiting not present	Week 4 fruiting not present	Week 5 fruiting not present	Week 6 fruiting not present	Week 7 fruiting not present	Week 8 fruiting not present	Week 9 fruiting not present	Week 10 fruiting not present	Week 11 fruiting not present	Week 12 fruiting not present	Week 13 fruiting not present	Week 14 fruiting not present	Week 15 fruiting not present	Week 16 fruiting not present	Week 17 fruiting not present	Week 18 fruiting not present	Week 19 fruiting not present	Week 20 fruiting not present	Week 21 fruiting not present	Week 22 fruiting not present	Week 23 fruiting not present	Week 24 fruiting not present	Week 25 fruiting not present	Week 26 fruiting not present	Week 27 fruiting not present	Week 28 fruiting not present	Week 29 fruiting not present	Week 30 fruiting not present	Week 31 fruiting not present	Week 32 fruiting not present	Week 33 fruiting not present	Week 34 fruiting present	Week 35 fruiting present	Week 36 fruiting present	Week 37 fruiting present	Week 38 fruiting present	Week 39 fruiting present	Week 40 fruiting present	Week 41 fruiting present	Week 42 fruiting present	Week 43 fruiting present	Week 44 fruiting present	Week 45 fruiting present	Week 46 fruiting present	Week 47 fruiting not present	Week 48 fruiting not present	Week 49 fruiting not present	Week 50 fruiting not present	Week 51 fruiting not present	Week 52 fruiting not present

13 Aronia melanocarpa found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2014_00176*F	WDC
2	2014_00176*A	WDC
3	2014_00176*B	WDC
4	2014_00176*C	WDC
5	2014_00176*D	WDC
6	2014_00176*E	WDC
7	2023_00672*A	ABE
8	2023_00672*B	ABE
9	2023_00672*C	ABE
10	2023_00672*D	ABE
11	2023_00672*E	ABE
12	2023_00672*F	ABE
13	2023_00672*G	ABE

Other plants like this Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry)

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907

Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us