Flower ID: IMG_0502.JPG-05-26-2017 Flower name (scientific): Prunus virginiana Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) PROO-nus vir-jin-ee-AN-uh Flower name (common): Chokecherry Family name (common): Rose Family name (scientific): Rosaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From classical Latin prūnus for plum tree. Specific epithet: From or referring to Virginia. Common name origin: From the bitter and acerbic taste of the fruit. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1.0 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect shrub or small tree. Size: 120 to 300 inches (3.0 to 7.6 m) Stem hairy: Other: Parts of the plant can be poisonous due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides. Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 10 cm long and 6 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, obovate, sometimes elliptic to ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodland openings, forest openings, thickets, streambanks, savannas, sun or shade, moist to dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Prunus serotina (Black Cherry) has a resemblance, when its a small tree. Prunus virginiana has leaves that are obovate or elliptic to ovate in shape, leaf margins are serrulate to serrate, and the teeth are straight, whereas Prunus serotina has leaves that are typically narrowly elliptic, oblong-elliptic, or obovate, leaf margins are crenulate-serrulate to serrate, and the teeth are incurved. Ethnobotany: The Menominee utilized the inner bark to prepare a poultice for healing wounds, and also to prepare a tea used for the treament of diarrhoea and used as a beverage. The berries were also employed to prepare a liquid that was employed to treat diarrhoea (Smith, pp. 49-50, 71, 1923). The Meskwaki used the bark of the roots to prepare a tea that was employed to treat stomach problems. The Meskwaki used the cherries as a food source (Smith, pp. 242, 263-264, 1928). The Ojibwe prepared a tea from the inner bark and used it to treat lung problems. They also utilized the fruit as a food source (Smith, pp. 385, 409, 1932). The Potawatomi prepare an eye-wash from the bark, and they also employed the berries to make a tonic beverage. They have also used the plant for food as a flavor agent for wine (Smith, pp. 76, 109-110, 1933). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Prunus virginiana var. virginiana (The other infraspecific is Prunus virginiana var. demissa (Nuttall) Torrey which is native to the more western states and provinces of the US and Canada.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU