A fairly common upright, open shrub of the Mountain region of North Carolina, with cherry-like leaves, white flower clusters in spring and black pomes (fruits) in fall and winter.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

The leaves are glabrous (hairless) and have a reddish tint to them when new.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

The dark hairs on the leaf midrib are a distinctive feature of Aronia.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

The branches of the inflorescence are glabrous (smooth), unlike those of our other two species of Aronia.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Similar to the widespread Red Chokeberry (A. arbutifolia), but with black fruits, glabrous twigs, and long-pointed (acuminate) leaves. Red Chokeberry has red fruits, pubescent twigs, and shorter-pointed leaves. The rarer Purple Chokeberry (A. prunifolia) has dark purplish fruits, but pubescent twigs and shorter-pointed leaves.

Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.

The genus Aronia is sometimes lumped in with Sorbus, Pyrus, or even Photinia.

Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.

Bark detail.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.