Choke Cherry(Prunus virginiana)

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Choke cherry Prunus virginiana L. (ROSE FAMILY)

Choke cherry is a small tree 8-12 ft. tall that grows in ravines and on creek banks. It is usually near perennial water. The leaves are 1 1/2-2 in. long and 3/4-1 1/2 in. wide, simple and alternate, with abruptly pointed tip. The leaf margin is finely toothed with the teeth pointed out. The leaf blade is dark green and semiglossy above. The cream-colored flowers are borne in dense, drooping, spike-like clusters 1-3 in. long on the end of a new stem. The fruits are red-stemmed, in drooping clusters 2-3 in. long; each fruit dark red-purple, globular, glossy; flesh juicy, bitter, edible. Jams and wine have been made from the fruit.