Aronia melanocarpa, Black chokeberry
Black chokeberry is a North American shrub with tasty black berry fruits having astringent and anti-oxidant properties of use in treating colds with possibilities of use in cancer and diabetes.
scientific name Aronia melanocarpa Michx. Elliott
family Rosaceae
parts used Fruit, leaf, juice
Description
Black chokeberry is a woody shrub with glossy bright green leaves growing to 2m tall by 2m wide. Bunches of small white flowers are produced from late April. It is self-fertile and carries pendulous clusters of black fruit, ripening in September.
Habitat
From eastern North America, in swamps and low woodlands. Chokeberry is now widely cultivated in Europe and Russia and in drier soils.
Related plants
Closely related to the mountain ash (Sorbus acuparia) and hybrid cultivars have been developed for orna-mental use (‘Viking’, ‘Aron’) and larger fruit production (‘Nero’). The red chokeberry is Aronia arbutifolia and can be planted in wetter soils. This plant should not be confused with chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).
Chokeberry flowers
Cultivation and harvest
Cultivation
Black chokeberry will grow in full sun or light shade, fruiting best in open conditions. It will tolerate most soils whether wet or dry, and withstands salt and pollution. It is hardy to USDA zone 5a (UK zone 4). To encourage bushiness the stems can be pruned back in winter to a leaf node, 50cm from the ground. As the stems thicken the older ones can be removed to maintain vigour.
Chokeberry fruit
Pests and diseases
There are few problems, occasional leaf spot and rust. Twigs and fruit may become covered in powdery mould due to blight. Resistant to honey fungus.
Propagation
Sow seed fresh when ripe in a cold frame. Soak stored seed overnight and stratify in the cold for three months. Seedlings can be grown on in a cold frame for the first winter and planted out in the following late spring. Cuttings can be taken in July. Division of suckers when dormant, or branches can be layered.
Harvesting
Fruit is best harvested when fully ripe, and can stay on the plant for some weeks. It is estimated that three years after planting, up to 2kg of fruit is produced per bush, increasing further in subsequent years. Leaves can be harvested and dried for use in infusion.
Therapeutic use
Traditional
The fruits of chokeberry were primarily used by Native Americans for food.1 Traditionally, fruits of both the black chokeberry and the red chokeberry were used by the Potawatomi tribe for treating colds.2
Medicinal actions and uses
Anti-oxidant and astringent. High concentrations of polyphenols and anthocyanins help to stimulate circulation and strengthen the heart as well as protect the urinary tract. High vitamin C content means the fruits are useful in treating colds and respiratory infections.
Clinical applications and research
The quality of clinical trials in recent years has been promising but more rigorous studies are needed of the indications of chokeberry extracts.3 It has been suggested that this fruit could be used to prevent oxidative stress and vascular complications of diabetes, in addition to cancer therapy.4
Sample preparations and dosage
Infusion of leaves makes a tea based on 1 tsp per 1 cup of water. Preparations can be made such as fruit leather (see recipe p.92), or using the fruit juice.
Constituents and commerce
Key constituents
The fruit contains anti-oxidant polyphenols, phenolic acids (such as neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids), and flavonoids (including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavanols and flavonols).5 A polyphenolic leaf extract has been shown to contain quercetin (11.70%), naringenin (9.01%) and gallocatechin gallate (10.02%).
Commerce
Chokeberry is grown as a commercial crop in Eastern Europe on a large scale for vitamin C content, and as a source of dietary anti-oxidants.6
Safety
No known issues.
Other uses
Wildlife friendly. Commercial use for culinary extracts such as pectin.
1 Engels G and Brinckmann J. (2014) Black chokeberry: Aronia melanocarpa: Family: Rosaceae. HerbalGram 101: 1-5.
2 Kokotkiewicz A, Jaremicz Z and Luczkiewicz M. (2010) Aronia plants: A review of traditional use, biological activities, and perspectives for modern medicine. J Med Food 13: 255-269.
3 Chrubasik C, Li G and Chrubasik S. (2010) The clinical effectiveness of chokeberry: A systematic review. Phytother Res 24: 1107-1114.
4 Banjari I, Misir A, Šavikin K, et al. (2017) Antidiabetic effects of Aronia melanocarpa and its other therapeutic properties. Front Nutr 4: 53; Borowska S and Brzóska MM. (2016) Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) and their products as a possible means for the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases and unfavorable health effects due to exposure to xenobiotics. Comp Revi Food Sci Food Saf 15: 6.
5 Jurikova T, Mlcek J, Skrovankova S, et al. (2017) Fruits of black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa in the prevention of chronic diseases. Molecules 22: E944.
6 Gralec M, Wawer I and Zawada K. (2010) Aronia melanocarpa berries: Phenolics composition and anti-oxidant properties changes during fruit development and ripening. Emir J Food Agric 31: 214-221.