Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Typically in season from July to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges, Grassland. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · iNaturalist

When Chokecherry is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak July to September. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Chokecherry is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges, Grassland.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Toxic look-alikes: Glossy buckthorn, Common buckthorn, Common privet. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Chokecherry into the field

Open Chokecherry in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Chokecherry: common questions

When is Chokecherry in season?

Chokecherry is generally in season from July to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Chokecherry grow?

Chokecherry is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges, Grassland.

Is Chokecherry safe to forage?

Toxic look-alikes: Glossy buckthorn, Common buckthorn, Common privet. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits