Envoy at 15:42, 17 September 2007

2007-09-17T15:42:51Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Chokecherry
| image = Prunus virginiana.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Prunoideae]]
| genus = ''[[Prunus]]''
| subgenus = ''[[bird cherry (subgenus)|Padus]]''
| species = '''''P. virginiana'''''
| binomial = ''Prunus virginiana''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

The '''Chokecherry''' (''Prunus virginiana'') is a species of [[bird cherry (subgenus)|bird cherry]] (''Prunus'' subgenus ''Padus'') native to [[North America]], where it is found almost throughout the continent except for the deep south and the far north. It is a suckering [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] growing to 5 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are oval, 3-10 cm long, with a coarsely serrated margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in [[raceme]]s of 15-30 in late spring (well after leaf emergence). The [[fruit]] are about 1 cm diameter, bright red, with a very [[astringent]], sour taste. Like chokeberries, chokecherries are very high in antioxidant pigment compounds, like anthocyanins.

There are two varieties:
*'''Common Chokecherry''' ''Prunus virginiana'' var. ''virginiana''. Eastern North America. Leaves hairless underneath or downy only in the vein axils.
*'''Western Chokecherry''' ''Prunus virginiana'' var. ''demissa''. Western North America. Leaves downy underneath.

[[Image:Chokecherry2web.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Chokecherry - [[Habit (biology)|habit]]]]
The wild Chokecherry is often considered a pest, as it is a host for the [[tent caterpillar]], a threat to other fruit plants. However, there are more appreciated [[cultivar]]s of the chokecherry, such as 'Goertz', which has a non-astringent, and therefore palatable, fruit. Research is being done at the [[University of Saskatchewan]] to find and create new cultivars to increase production and processing [http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/afif/Projects/19960373.pdf].

Chokecherry is closely related to the [[Black Cherry]] (''Prunus serotina'') of eastern North America; it is most readily distinguished from that by its smaller size (Black Cherry can reach 30 m tall), smaller leaves, and red (not black) ripe fruit.

The name chokecherry has also been used (as 'Amur Chokecherry') for the related [[Manchurian Cherry]] or Amur Cherry (''Prunus maackii'').

Chokecherry is toxic to [[horse]]s, especially after the leaves have wilted (such as after a frost or after branches have been broken) because wilting releases [[cyanide]] and makes the plant sweet. About 5-10 kg of foliage can be fatal. Symptoms of a horse that has been poisoned include heavy breathing, agitation, and weakness. The leaves of the chokecherry serve as food for [[caterpillar]]s of various [[Lepidoptera]]. See [[List of Lepidoptera which feed on Prunus|List of Lepidoptera which feed on ''Prunus'']].

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The [[Chokeberry|chokeberries]], genus ''Aronia'', are often mistakenly called [[Chokecherry|chokecherries]] . This naming confusion is easy to understand considering there is a cultivar of the chokecherry ''Prunus virginiana'' 'Melanocarpa' [http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modzz/00001191.html], [http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/545.htm], and a species of chokeberry named ''[[Black Chokeberry|Aronia melanocarpa]]'' [http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modzz/00000145.html].

==Sources==
*[http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modzz/modzzo.html Michigan State University Extension Information Management Progam

== See also ==
* [[choke pear]]

== External links ==
* http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-13.pdf
* http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/fruit/bla01s00.html

{{Commons|Prunus virginiana}}

[[Category:Cherries]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Flora of North America]]
[[Category:Flora of Montana]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Flora of Idaho]]

Chokecherry - Revision history

Envoy at 15:42, 17 September 2007