Table of Contents
- Edible Uses of Chokeberries
- Medicinal Uses of Chokeberries
- Alternative Uses of Aronia
- Growing Aronia SPP.
Todays plant is chokeberries (Aronia spp.), not the more popular chokecherries. Sometimes chokeberry shrubs are included in the genus Photinia instead of Aronia. Chokeberries are one of the less popular native shrubs. Even unheard of. These under-the-radar native shrubs are related to roses.
The only species listed in Haliburton Flora is purple chokeberry (Aronia x prunifolia). However, as a province we have black (A. melanocarpa) and red (A. arbutifolia) as well. Purple may originally be a hybrid of black and red. I’ve found them on the shores of lakes and ponds. They may also be found on the edges of wet woods or on shrubby hillsides.

Edible Uses of Chokeberries
The berries are edible raw or cooked. Black chokeberry (A. melanocarpa) is the most palatable of the bunch. The berries won’t all ripen at once and even when ripe the pulp is astringent. Which is why the fruit is mostly used in juice blends. It’s a berry with trendy superfood juice potential. They can be used in all sorts of drinks.
The tart berries can also be used for aronia or mixed berry jams and jellies. Like currants, with no need for added pectin. They make a yummy syrup too. They can also be used for baking goods. You can dry, freeze or refrigerate them.
The berries are a rich source of polyphenols.
Medicinal Uses of Chokeberries
Chokeberry is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
Medicinal tags include Astringent and Laxative. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage includes the berries as a strong laxative. But this superfruits extract is used and being studied for many other conditions.

Alternative Uses of Aronia
The berries produce a purple dye. And fabrics dyed with aronia berry extract prepared a certain way may be antibacterial.

Growing Aronia SPP.
Our native chokeberries aren’t super picky but will perform best with sun and moisture. They require some maintenance to be productive, akin to brambles. They are good for a hedge, woodland edge or under trees.
You can propagate them with cuttings taken in mid summer using rooting hormone. Once you see new growth, you can plant them in autumn. Speaking of fall, their autumn foliage is gorgeous (as pictured above).
Bees and other insects will visit the flowers and diverse wildlife will eat the berries! They host a few caterpillars including a favourite of mine, the coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus).
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/name/Aronia
Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern & Central North America
Medandother- astringent and unpalatable. But the fruit is used in pemmican. Astringent tea.