Question: Hi..ive seen this small tree with blue berries on greenish stems in nickerson state park brewster ma oct 6 and …
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Question
Hi..ive seen this small tree with blue berries on greenish stems in nickerson state park brewster ma oct 6 and at flax pond in dennis ma ovt 7 In both cases an astute 9 year old found them dangling above our heads growing in the shade. Oct 6 and oct 7. They are bland . The berries are red inside with seeds not pits . The leaves look like service berry to me tiny saw toothed edges. and the height is about right. But i thought they fruited in june? any other ideas?
Answer
Dear zmper, you have collected a species of Aronia (chokeberry), a native member of the rose family. Unfortunately, the image is not clear enough for me to tell you which species. There are two this could be: Aronia melanocarpa (black fruits, no hairs in inflorescence) and Aronia floribunda (purple fruits, hairs in inflorescence). If you examine the midrib on the upper surface of the leaf blade, you will notice a line of dark glands that helps to identify this genus.
