Chokecherry

A member of the rose family of plants, this berry is classified as a bush cherry, but is related to the domestic cherry as well as the plum, apricot, and peach families of fruit. Small in size, the Chokecherry grows on shrubs or trees, developing varieties of red, yellow, orange or blue-black colored berries. Also known as the Wild Black Cherry, the fruit of the Chokecherry is most often used to make sweets, jams, jellies, syrups, sauces, concentrates, or beverages, such as wine or juice. With a flavor that can range from mildly sweet to very sour and tart, Chokecherries grow abundantly in the wild as a common food for a variety of birds and animals. The seeds of this fruit are considered poisonous and may cause harm if consumed in large quantities.