Western Chokecherry

Names: Western Chokecherry (English); cerisier de virginie (French); Prunus virginiana (Latin)

Other Common Names: Eastern Chokecherry, California Chokecherry, Wild Cherry, Wild Black Cherry, Black Chokecherry, Rum Chokecherry, Whiskey Chokecherry, Chuckley-Plum, Sloetree, Cabinet Cherry

Habitat and Origin: Widely distributed all over North America and found in a variety of altitudinal ranges.

Characteristics: Shrub or small tree that suckers freely creating loose thickets with extensive root systems. Young branches are red in color and mature to a dark grey. Has alternating, finely toothed leaves that are oval in shape. Has an elongated raceme of white flowers.

Edible Portion: Produces an astringent, bitter berry that is red, purple or black in color.

Optimal Growing Conditions: Thrives in moist, rich, well drained soils. Low salt tolerance.

Aboriginal Peoples Uses: Widely dried and ground by Blackfoot and Plains Cree to use for soups and pemmican. Medicinally, the bark was used to create remedies for diarrhoea, coughing, malaria, stomach aches, tuberculosis and intestinal worms or used as sedatives. and twigs were boiled to make a strong tea to relieve fevers. Dried roots were chewed and used to stop wounds from bleeding. The fruit was also used to treat canker sores, ulcers and abscesses. Other uses of the plant include constructions of bows and arrows, pipe stems and paint color.