Aronia

Aronia Pers.

Aronia is a complex genus of two species and their hybrid. All are native to North America but are more or less widely cultivated as ornamentals in the temperate regions of the world. Species delimitation in Aronia is often critical: A. prunifolia (L.) S. Elliott and A. melanocarpa (Michaux) S. Elliott today merely seem to represent the extremes of one variable species (especially in horticulture). Their hybrid probably is the most common taxon in cultivation now (but see De Koning & al. 2000).

Aronia is obviously closely related to Photinia Lindl. and both genera are sometimes merged. Brand (2009) proposed new combinations in Photinia for the taxa traditionally placed in Aronia. However, the latter being the older name it has priority over Photinia. Moreover, the inclusion of Photinia in Aronia is not in accordance with recent molecular phylogenetic studies (Potter & al. 2007).

1       Mature leaves glabrescent to glabrous. Berry purplish-black when ripe, ca. 6-8 mm across. Twigs and inflorescence branches glabrous. Usually low shrub, rarely exceeding 100 cm === Aronia melanocarpa

         Mature leaves more or less persistently hairy beneath. Berry purplish when ripe, 8-10 mm across. Twigs and inflorescence branches hairy. Usually taller shrub, often exceeding 100 cm === A. xprunifolia

Literature:


Brand M. (2009) Aronia: native shrubs with untapped potential. Arnoldia 67(3): 14-25. [available online at: http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/2010-67-3-aronia-native-shrubs-with-untapped-potential.pdf

De Jong P.S. & Hop M.E.C.M. (1994) Aronia. Dendroflora 31: 24-28.

De Koning J., Van den Broek J.W., Van de Laar H.J. & Fortgens G. (2000) Nederlandse dendrologie (13e druk). H. Veenman & zonen, Ede: 585 p.

Hardin H. (1973) The enigmatic ckokeberries. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 100(3): 178-184.

Hop M.E.C.M. (1999) Aronia – Appelbes (deel 2). Dendroflora 36: 40-47. [available online at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40108239_Aronia_appelbes_deel_2]

Hop M.E.C.M. (2014-2015) Aronia – Appelbes, deel 3. Dendroflora 51: 24-33.

Knees S.G. (1995) Aronia. In: Cullen J. & al. (eds.), The European Garden Flora, vol. 4. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 423-424.

Lambinon J. & Verloove F. (avec coll. Delvosalle L., Toussaint B., Geerinck D., Hoste I., Van Rossum F., Cornier B., Schumacker R., Vanderpoorten A. & Vannerom H.) (2012) Nouvelle Flore de la Belgique, du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des Régions voisines (Ptéridophytes et Spermatophytes). Sixième édition. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise: CXXXIX + 1195 p.

McVaugh R. (1971) Report of the Committee for Spermatophyta: conservation of generic names: 14. Proposal 272 (3338 pars) Aronia Medikus. Taxon 20(2-3): 386.

Pankhurst R.J. (2014) Aronia. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds.), Flora of North America, vol. 9. Oxford University Press, New York-Oxford: 445-446. [available online at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=102649]

Potter D., Eriksson T., Evans R.C., Oh S., Smedmark J.E.E., Morgan D.R., Kerr M., Robertson K.R., Arsenault M., Dickinson T.A. & Campbell C.S. (2007) Phylogeny and classification of Rosaceae. Pl. Syst. Evol. 266: 5-43.

Uttal L.J. (1984) Nomenclatorial changes, lectotypification and comments in Aronia Medikus (Rosaceae). Sida 10(3): 199-202.

Wiegers J. (1983) Aronia Medik. in the Netherlands. I. Distribution and taxonomy. Acta Bot. Neerl. 32(5/6): 481-488.

Wiegers J. (1984) Aronia Medik. in the Netherlands. II. Ecology of Aronia x prunifolia (Marsh.) Rehd. in the Dutch Haf Distrcit. Acta Bot. Neerl. 33(3): 307-322.

Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith