Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States, Virgin Islands
manfred.sause@volloeko.de
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Aronia
- Species:
- Aronia melanocarpa
- USDA Symbol:
- ARME6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris bowmanana, Acleris fragariana, Allen's Aphelia (Aphelia alleniana), Amyris metarranthis moth (Metarranthis amyrisaria), Ancylis mediofasciana, Ancylis nubeculana, Archips myricana, Argyrotaenia repertana, bluish spring moth (Lomographa semiclarata), Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), green budworm moth (Hedya nubiferana), Large Lace-border (Scopula limboundata), Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), obsoletana leafroller (Choristoneura obsoletana), Praeclara Underwing (Catocala praeclara), reticulated sparganothis moth (Sparganothis reticulatana), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Sparganothis daphnana, Trichordestra rugosa, Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Coelodasys Packard
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, purple
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers organic-rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: None required
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 months, then place @ 20C for 3 months. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)