Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
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:
- 240 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- 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, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- 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 — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold-moist stratification. Germination can be slow and erratic even with proper treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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.