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This spindly shrub with bright red fruits is a red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia). In November 1994, Professor Leuck collected seeds from the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve (Bienville Parish). He germinated them in pots and nurtured the seedlings until planting them in the arboretum. They reside under a large, on-site native loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Perhaps, once upon a time, the plants thrived, but over the past several years they have merely survived.
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We have a small cluster of glossy red fruits that could perhaps be used to establish a new patch of red chokeberry. The University of Connecticut's folks claim that red chokeberry is "easily propagated by seed."
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Simple, elliptic leaves with acute tips alternate along the branch. Red chokeberry leaves are dark green during the summer, and they are known for impressive fall coloration.
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Fruits are approximately ¼ inch across. Leaves vary from 3 to 6 inches.
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Underneath, leaves are pale green and a little fuzzy. Margins are serrate. In this picture you can see that the fruits have a boxy shape.
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You can see more pictures of this patch of red chokeberry here.
For more information about this species, please consult the following online sources:
NC State Extension
University of Connecticut
Aggie Horticulture
