Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa

Prunus virginiana melanocarpa, Black Chokecherry, forms a small tree or large shrub. Black Chokecherry grows from the middle elevations of California's Sierra Nevada Range to the other side of the Rocky Mountains. Black chokecherry has very pretty large racemes of white flowers that attract butterflies. We've had one in the ground now for 10 years with no thoughts or problems. It is growing next to a dripping bird bath. It serves as an excellent perching place for birds coming to the bird bath as well as cover for birds like the Wilson's warblers and Wrentits. The fruit is 1/2 an inch across and black. It is normal for the birds to get all of the fruit. The quality of the fresh fruit is a little better than the regular choke cherry. Black Chokecherry is a great plant for birds and butterflies.