black chokeberry

Plant Type

Small Tree/Large Shrub (10-25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

3-10 ft. tall
3-6 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Propagation

By seed, By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

Softwood cuttings will root without rooting hormone. Seeds require cold moist stratification for at least 120 days.

Plants/Diseases

No significant pest or disease issues.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

simple, elliptic to ovate leaves that are alternate and have finely serrated margins.

Flowers

Small 1/3″ flowers that can be white to light pink and have 4-5 petals.

Fruit

Dark purple to black pomes.

Bark

Dark brown maturing to dark grey.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

Edibility

Fruits are edible.

USDA Hardiness Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, Poorly Drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0), Basic (greater than 8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

In the mountains; balds, forests, and openings and exposed rock outcrops at high elevations, bogs. In the coastal plain and piedmont; seeps and headwater wetlands.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Rare in the piedmont. Uncommon in the mountains. Absent in the costal plain.