Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Illustration: Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) fruit racemes

Identification: Shrub/small tree; elongated hanging racemes of dark red-black fruit in late summer; oval finely-toothed leaves. Fruit is mouth-puckeringly astringent raw.

Dangerous look-alikes: No toxic look-alike with the same fruit racemes — but the PITS contain cyanogenic compounds: do not crush or chew pits; strain jelly/juice and discard pits whole. See the High-Risk Index plate.

Edible parts: Ripe fruit (pulp/juice only — pits discarded whole).

Season and habitat: Late summer. Coulees, riverbanks, prairie edges.

Preparation: Best as jelly, syrup, or wine — cooking tames the astringency. Never grind the pits into the preparation.

Notes: A Great Plains staple — pemmican's classic berry.