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Prunus virginiana2.jpg  Prunus virginiana flowers.jpg  Black cherry 1.JPG


NAME: Chokecherry

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Prunus Virginiana / Rosaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  bitter-berry, Virginia bird cherry

CONDITIONS: sun-partial shade
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

  

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

        

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

        

Flowers

 

 

 

 

Fruits

very tart

RAW/DRY/COOK

Aug

Pods

  

 

    

Seeds

  caution

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small

 

COMMENT: Fruit - raw or cooked. Very harsh, it is normally used in pies, jellies etc. Dark and juicy, it is sometimes edible raw when fully mature. The fruit can be dried and is then quite nice raw. The fruit is up to 8mm in diameter and contains a single large seed. Seed - raw or cooked. Very nutritious, they are added to pemmican. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter.(see caution below) The bark and twigs are a tea substitute.(1)

 

CAUTION: The seed can contain high concentrations of hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste. Usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm, any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.(1)

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Astringent;  Febrifuge;  Pectoral;  Poultice;  Salve;  Sedative;  Tonic. (1)

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: Dye;  Pioneer;  Soil stabilization;  Wood. The plant forms thickets by means of suckers from its extensive root system and can be planted for erosion control. It is a pioneer species of abandoned fields and cut-over lands. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves. A green dye is obtained from the inner bark in spring. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit. A purplish-red dye is obtained from the fruit. Wood - close grained, moderately strong, hard, heavy, does not burn easily. The wood used for skewers etc.(1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+virginiana
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_virginiana
  3. http://scienceviews.com/plants/chokecherry.html