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Synonym: Padus
virginiana. Prunus virginiana. (Chokecherry) Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. Chokecherry is found almost from coast to coast across the central and northern United States and southern Canada. Chokecherry berries are an important wildlife food and humans have eaten their berries for millennia. Even young Chokecherry trees produce a beautiful spring show of white flowers and a good crop of berries. Mature trees such as those pictured, produce sufficient berries for many pies, quarts of jelly, and pounds of bear fat. "Padus" is, according to William A. Weber, the ancient Greek name for this plant, and "virginiana" is a common species name given because a plant was first collected in Virginia -- in this case in 1753. (Other states, territories, or rivers are also the source of plant names: "Canadensis", "Missouriensis", "Arizonica".... The colony/state of "Virginia" derives its name from the "Virgin" Queen, Queen Elizabeth the First of England.) Linnaeus assigned the genus names "Prunus" and "Padus" in 1753. "Prunus" is the more widely accepted generic name for this plant. |
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Synonym:
Padus
virginiana. Prunus virginiana.
(Chokecherry) Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. Chokecherry's abundance of flowers are showy and fragrant. |
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Synonym:
Padus
virginiana. Prunus virginiana.
(Chokecherry) Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. Chokecherries are a vital wildlife food in the mesa and low mountain country of the Southwest with berries eaten by birds, bears, chipmunks, and human beings. Chokecherries were very important in the diet of the Anasazi and other native people. |
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Synonym:
Padus
virginiana. Prunus virginiana.
(Chokecherry) Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. Sometime it is difficult to even notice flowers. Mount Hesperus and Spiller Peak top the La Plata Mountains, the Colorado sky is intensely blue, and the jagged rock-pile is a work of art. On the left, though, are the long white flower clusters of the Chokecherry. |
