Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month

Red Chokeberry

Aronia arbutifolia

Red chokeberry is a deciduous shrub, native to Florida, that reaches heights of 5-10 feet and can be 3-5 feet wide. Typically found in the panhandle as well as north and central peninsula of the state in habitats like pine flatwoods and along wetland/swamp margins. Blooms appear in late winter and into spring, they are small white flowers that cover the plant and attract a variety of pollinators. This plan serves as a great food source for pollinators during winter and as a berry source for wildlife through the spring all the way into fall. The berries are edible, however they are bitter and acidic and therefore are often cooked into jam, jelly, pie or wine as they contain high amounts of antioxidants.

Although chokeberry is decidious, it can be featured in a home landscape/garden due to its abundance of flowers, fruit, interesting bark, and changing leaf color. Plants spread by suckering so make sure to leave plenty of space for colonies to form.

Learn more about the plant characteristics here: https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-aronia-arbutifolia/

Check out other Wild Weeds Here: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/bakerco/tag/wild-weeds/

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