Science & Nature • Plant

Chokecherry

Chokecherry is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the rose family, scientifically known as *Prunus virginiana*, and native to North America.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Chokecherry is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the rose family, scientifically known as *Prunus virginiana*, and native to North America. It is known for its astringent dark red to black fruit, which is used in preserves, syrup, juice, and jelly, while its leaves, bark, and pits contain toxic compounds.

Description

Chokecherry is a native deciduous shrub or small tree that commonly grows in thickets, along edges, roadsides, and open woods. It has white flower clusters and astringent fruit that ripens to dark red or black.

Uses

The fruit is used in food products such as jelly, preserves, syrup, juice, jams, and wines. The plant has also been used in ornamental plantings, windbreaks, erosion control, and traditional Indigenous food and medicinal practices.

Toxicity

Chokecherry contains cyanogenic compounds that can release hydrocyanic acid, making leaves, twigs, bark, and pits poisonous to humans and livestock. The fleshy fruit itself is generally edible when ripe, though very tart.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to North America and occurs widely across the northern and central parts of the continent, including southern Canada. It grows in rich, moist soils but can also tolerate stony or sandy, well-drained sites.

Key facts

Native to North America and widely distributed across much of the continent.
Produces clusters of white flowers followed by tart dark red to black fruit.
Fruit is commonly processed into jelly, syrup, juice, and preserves.
Most parts of the plant are toxic due to cyanogenic compounds, especially the leaves and pits.
Used historically by Indigenous peoples for food, medicine, and ceremonial purposes.

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Canadian context

Chokecherry is native to southern Canada and is part of the flora of many Canadian prairie, boreal, and mixed-wood regions. Its fruit has long been used in traditional foods, and the species is valued for wildlife habitat and shelterbelts in Canadian landscapes.[2][5][9][10]

Frequently asked questions

What is chokecherry?

Chokecherry is a North American native deciduous shrub or small tree, *Prunus virginiana*, in the rose family.

Is chokecherry edible?

The ripe fleshy fruit is edible but very tart; it is often made into jelly, syrup, juice, or preserves.

What parts of chokecherry are poisonous?

The leaves, bark, twigs, and pits/stones contain cyanogenic compounds and can be poisonous to humans and livestock.

Where does chokecherry grow?

It grows across much of North America, especially in the northern and central regions, and often occurs in thickets, edges, open woods, and along roadsides.

What is chokecherry used for?

It is used for food products, wildlife value, ornamentals, windbreaks, and erosion control; it also has historical medicinal uses.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/chokecherry
Supports: Species identity, native range, uses, and toxicity.
USDA PLANTS — https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_prvi.pdf
Supports: Food use and commercial fruit product uses.
Ohio State University Extension — https://weedguide.cfaes.osu.edu/singlerecord.asp?id=26
Supports: Native range, habitat, plant form, and toxicity.
USDA Forest Service — https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pruvir/all.html
Supports: Growth form, reproduction, and fruit uses.
Indiana Native Plants — https://indiananativeplants.org/wp-content/uploads/GM_Chokecherry.doc
Supports: Habitat, range, medicinal uses, and toxicity.
USDA Forest Service — https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pruvir/all.html
Supports: Wildlife/windbreak use and plant description.