Question: Edge of woods, Newton, Massachusetts, May 18, 2020. The simple key suggests Amelanchier (shrub, alternate deciduous leaves with small teeth, …
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Question
Edge of woods, Newton, Massachusetts, May 18, 2020. The simple key suggests Amelanchier (shrub, alternate deciduous leaves with small teeth, flowers in raceme, and it doesn't look like cherry or blueberry).
Answer
Dear jfc, good afternoon. You've photographed Prunus virginiana (choke cherry). The obovate leaf blades are a good morphological marker of this species. If you scrape the bark, you'll also notice the characteristic "bitter almond" odor that helps with vegetative specimens. Best wishes.
