The distribution and fruiting of red and black chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia and A. melanocarpa) in a southern Appalachian fen1

Abstract

each area of the fen), and recorded the number of pomes on each fruiting stem. Two-thirds of all chokeberries occurred in the early successional habitat. Black chokeberry dominated both areas, comprising 72% of all chokeberry stems in the early successional area, and 79% in the forested area. Few pomes were observed in the forested area, and no red chokeberries fruited there. In the early successsional area, nearly equal percentages of each species produced fruit (8% of red chokeberries, and 10% of black chokeberries). However, red chokeberry produced significantly more pomes per stem, as well as 20% more pomes than black chokeberry, across the