Aronia arbutifolia, called the red chokeberry, is a North American species of shrubs in the rose family. It is native to eastern Canada and to the eastern and central United States, from eastern Texas to Nova Scotia inland to Ontario, Ohio, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
Description Aronia arbutifolia is a branching shrub forming clumps by means of stems forming from the roots. It may reach a height between 1.8 and 3.6 meters (6 and 12 feet). Flowers are white or pink, producing black or bright red fruits.Flora of North America, Aronia arbutifolia (Linnaeus) Persoon, Red chokeberry
Ecology Habitat A. arbutifolia may be found in habitats such as titi bogs, boggy pine flatwoods, various hammocks, and other wet environments.Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It generally has no response to soil disturbance via clearcutting and chopping. Herbivory A. arbutifolia has been often observed to host insect species such as sweat bees, as well as bees from the Andrenidae family. It has been reported to be consumed by marsh rabbits, and accounts for 5-10% of the diet of a variety of game bird and songbird species.
Uses It is a popular landscaping plant. The fruits, whose ill taste inspired the common name, are bitterly acidic (though edible) when eaten raw. They are high in pectin and can be used to make delicious thick jams and jellies.
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