More and more aronia plants are growing in our country. Soon the shrub will be as familiar to us as if its “ancestors” had already been in the garden. But that's not the case. The old home of the aronia berry is far, far away from us.
Where does the aronia berry originally come from?
The origin of the aronia berry is in the eastern part of North America, more precisely in the border area between Canada and the USA. It belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae) and found its way to Germany via Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Where does Aronia come from?
Based on its preference for location and soil, one could easily mistake the winter-hardy aronia for a native plant. But she isn't. It doesn't even come from Europe, where it is now significantly widespread. The wild form originated on another continent. More precisely: their homeland is the eastern part of North America, roughly the border area between Canada and the USA. There it colonized extensive areas of a wide variety of species as a 1-2 m high shrub.
Which plant family does Aronia come from?
Aronia belongs to the plant family of rose plants, scientifically Rosaceae. The apple tree, which is popular in this country, also belongs to it. The structure of their flowers and fruits shows similarities. This gave Aronia the nickname chokeberry. There is also a close relationship and similarity with the native mountain ash, which is why it is often called black mountain ash.
How did Aronia find her way to us in Germany?
The path to Germany was marked by detours. Your stations briefly outlined:
- At the end of the 19th century, the Russian botanist Michurin experimented with aronia and cultivated large-fruited varieties.
- Large cultivation areas in the former Soviet Union and cultivation in self-sufficiency gardens soon followed.
- In the 1970s, Aroniacame to the GDR via Eastern Europe as a dye plant for the food industry.
- After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Aronia fell into oblivion.
- At the beginning of this millennium, the cultivation of aronia became increasingly important again.
How was the aronia berry used in the country of origin?
The natives of North America have valued the tart, sour berry for centuries and used itfor winter suppliesThey did not grow them specifically, but rather collected ripe fruits in the wild. By the way, in English Aronia is called Chockeberry, translated as Chockeberry!
Tip
The aronia berry is also edible for today's modern people
The name strangling berry has its justification. Because one bite is enough to make your whole mouth tighten. But the berry is not only he althy, but also edible. It can be made into jam, juice and much more. If necessary, together with sweet fruits for a milder and better taste.
