Npn-plant

chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

  • This is part of Allergy Agents
  • When to observe: Year-round
  • What to observe: Flowers, Fruits, and Leaves
  • Where to observe:
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Choke cherry is a USA-NPN calibration plant species. Calibration species have broad distributions and are ecologically or economically important. The NPN integrates observations on calibration species to get "the big picture" of plant responses to climate across the nation. In addition, this species is an allergen. Observations on its phenology will provide valuable information to benefit people with allergies and the public health community.
Chokecherry is an erect to straggling, deciduous shrub to small tree growing 3 to 30 feet tall or more. It is often connected by underground roots forming thickets. Its tiny white flowers are grouped into showy, long clusters that are fragrant. Each flower contains both male and female parts. Chokecherry is mostly found on moist soils, such as in aspen groves, scrub, oak/pine woodlands, and coniferous forests, as well as ravines, rocky slopes, canyons, and the edges of creeks. It can also be found in old fields, uncultivated field edges, and dry, exposed sites. Additionally, it can grow well on sandy soils. Chokecherry prefers full sun to partial shade and is intolerant of full shade.
You should observe...
Here are the phenophases you should observe about this plant.
Leaves Breaking leaf buds

One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base.
Leaves

One or more live unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible. New small leaves may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible. Do not include dried or dead leaves.
Increasing leaf size

A majority of leaves on the plant have not yet reached their full size and are still growing larger. Do not include new leaves that continue to emerge at the ends of elongating stems throughout the growing season.

Colored leaves

One or more leaves (including any that have recently fallen from the plant) have turned to their late-season colors.
Falling leaves

One or more leaves are falling or have recently fallen from the plant.
Flowers Flowers

One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.
Open flowers

One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

Fruits Fruits

One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.
Ripe fruits

One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

Recent fruit drop

One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.
If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color or fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation.
Chokecherry provided a staple for Native American tribes and was first cultivated in North America as an orchard crop in 1724. Prussic (hydrocyanic) acid is found in the bark, leaves, and pits of chokecherry, and there are numerous reports of cattle dying after eating these parts of the plant. The acid in chokecherry pits is neutralized by boiling or drying. In addition, the bark is used as a tea, and the fruit is used to make jellies and jams.

Gardens with this plant

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