Plant Guide - plants.usda.gov（植物指南plants.usda.gov）.pdf

Plant Guide CHOKECHERRY The seeds are toxic due to production of hydrocyanic acid in the leaves, stems and seeds. The almond nuts Prunus virginiana L. are treated to deactivate the poisonous glycosides before they are put on the market. Cases of illness Plant Symbol = PRVI and deaths have been traced back to eating the seeds of these trees. Contributed by: USDA NRCS Pullman, Washington and Manhattan, Kansas Plant Materials Centers and Conservation: Chokecherry is used extensively in Kansas State University Forestry Division shelterbelts, windbreaks, wildlife habitat and mass plantings for erosion control. Chokecherry does well in riparian area planting. It provides thermal cover over the water and works well in stabilizing streambanks. It has been used on disturbed sites such as mined land reclamation, highway right-of-ways and construction sites. It is a good erosion control plant because it can form thickets and spread by rhizomes.