Chokeberry (Jam)

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I thought Chokeberries were poisonous (hence the name). My mom said she saw a jar of Chokeberry Jam at a specialty store near her house.

Anyone make the Jam?

-- Peggy Adkins (adkinsonthefarm@hotmail.com), June 21, 2000

Answers

Response to Chokeberry

Peggy, get a field guide and make a careful ID of the plant. Chokeberry could be anything in your area.

However choke CHERRIES, Prunus virginiana, are very edible. Chokecherry jelly was our main jelly when I was a child. I have less fond memories of the head to toe chigger problems after going out and collecting them though.

Some of the Prunus family can be poisonous, there are reports of stock eating leaves withered from drought or first freeze. This primarily seems to involve large quantities of leaves. I'm not sure what the exact symptoms are, perhaps a choking or coughing problem in the animals? Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), June 21, 2000.


Response to Chokeberry

Same as what Gerbil said. You must IDENTIFY the tree, and your local (State College) extension service is there for just that purpose. Hereabouts (Maine) we have "wild cherry" which produces lots of very small cherries, that I have never tried to use. But as Gerbil notes, our wild cherry is poisonous to several animals, especially sheep, IF they eat withered leaves. Apparently green leaves don't have the same effect. Maybe someone can explain the apparent dichotomy, I can't. GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), June 27, 2000.

We are looking for a Chokeberry Jam, Jelly and if possible Wine recipes.

Thank you

-- Barbara J. Breault (breault3@msn.com), November 14, 2001.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ