Chokecherries

Chokecherry blossoms are now about at the end of their cycle now here in western Montana. Judging by the abundance of blossoms this year the wonderful berries should be plentiful in a few more weeks and I look forward to using their juice to make jelly or syrup which I enjoy more than any other.

Chokecherry ~ prunus virginiana

*** CAUTION! ***

I have used the juice for many years in making delicious jelly and syrup but have always extracted the juice while being careful to avoid crushing or including the large seeds which can be toxic. Following are excerpts from several sources that warn of the potential toxicity of parts of the plant (including the seeds):

“Chokecherry is toxic to horses, moose, cattle, goats, deer, and other animals with segmented stomachs (rumens), especially after the leaves have wilted (such as after a frost or after branches have been broken) because wilting releases cyanide and makes the plant sweet. About 10–20 lbs of foliage can be fatal.” (From Wikipedia)

“Warning: New growth, wilted leaves, or plant parts that are injured by frost or drought are poisonous to cattle and humans. The toxin, hydrocyanic acid, is formed in the animals stomach. Hydrocyanic acid quickly affects animals and causes difficulty in breathing, slow pulse, dilated pupils, staggering and loss of consciousness before death. Chokecherry toxicity is highest during the spring and summer; however, leaves are non-toxic by the time fruits mature.” (Rangeland Ecosystems) (From Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database)

“CAUTION: PARTS OF THIS PLANT CAN BE POISONOUS. The seeds are toxic due to production of hydrocyanic acid in the leaves, stems and seeds. The almond-like nuts are treated to deactivate the poisonous glycosides before they are put on the market. Cases of illness and deaths have been traced back to eating the seeds of these trees.” (From the USDA Plant Fact Sheet)

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Chokecherry

Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, May 19

Wildflowers of spring (8)

With a few warm days recently and plenty of rain the wildflower blooms are coming rapidly now, as though they are trying to catch up to the season. I’m still trying to post to document them but feel like I’m losing ground.

Yellow Corabells, Fuzzy Emera ~ Elera racemosa 5/29

Common Sheep Sorrel ~ Rumex acetosella 5/29

Common Dogmustard ~ Erucastrum gallicum 5/29

Suksdorf’s desert-parsley ~ Lomatium suksdorfii 5/29

Chokecherry ~ Prunus virginiana 5/29

Siberian Springbeauty ~ Claytonia sibirica 5/29

Prunus virginiana

The chokecherries are blooming now and if the quantity and quality of blossoms are any indication it will be a good year for making more of my favorite jelly and syrup!

(For those not familiar with this plant, here is a photo of a group of the whole plants down by the river last summer.)

Born in the rain

These are the first blossoms of their species to appear around here this year and when I saw them this morning while I walked in the rain, it seemed important to me that they be displayed. Then as I clicked the shutter from under my umbrella, the reason occurred to me: the exuberance of these brand new arrivals that entered our world on a rainy day needed to be shared.

Goatsbeard,
Yellow Salisfy
Tragopogon dubius
Aster family

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Rose family

Chokecherry blossoms

When the chokecherries blossom there are big white splashes across the landscape everywhere. I caught a few last night just before the sun went down.

The blossoms fill the trees,

and the trees line the river banks.

Oh, and it pays to stay alert: there are other things that lurk among the chokecherries too! (This shot was more difficult to get than you might think!)