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Prunus virginiana. Synonym: Padus
virginiana. (Chokecherry) Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. Chokecherry is found from coast to coast across the central and northern United States and southern Canada. Because of their abundance, Chokecherry fruit is an important wildlife food, and humans, too, have eaten it for millennia. Chokecherry trees, even young ones, produce a beautiful spring show of abundant white flowers followed by a multitude of tasty berries. Mature trees, such as those pictured, produce sufficient berries for many pies, quarts of jelly, and pounds of bear fat. "Prunus" is the widely accepted generic name for this plant and it was given by Linnaeus in 1753 from a plant collected in Virginia by John Clayton. "Virginiana" is a common specific epithet given to honor the place the plant was first collected. (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.) |
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Prunus virginiana. Synonym: Padus
virginiana. (Chokecherry)
Rosaceae (Rose Family) Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. Chokecherry's abundance of flowers are showy and fragrant. |
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Prunus virginiana. Synonym: Padus
virginiana. (Chokecherry)
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Foothills, montane. Shrublands,
woodlands.
Spring. |
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Prunus virginiana. Synonym: Padus
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 they still taste good to many present day folks. I particularly enjoy "Aunt Bessie's" Chokecherry jam sold at the Cortez Farmer's Market. |
Range map © John Kartesz,
County Color Key
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Range map for Prunus virginiana |