Chokecherry is found in NewFoundland, Saskatchewan, down to North Carolina and as far  as Kansas. In Missouri it is more extensive in the northern part of the state North of the Missouri River on wooded slopes, bluffs and ravines. It can be grown in the southern part of the state and is not considered invasive or protected.

This is another plant that has little research to it and you may not really want to take time to invest in this one. 

 

It is fruit and seeds are edible and they have been used in jellies, and pies where you have a good amount of sugar to offset the bitter taste. The berries are high in pectin and used to be combined with fruits with lower pectin when making jams, jellies and syrups. Dried berries were used to make pemmican and the twigs and bark make a good tea. The inner bark was used to flavor medicinal syrups and other bitter medicines. It is rarely used today. 

 

Chokecherry can be used for stomach problems like diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, and stomach ulcers.

Chokecherry bark can be used as a base for cough medicine for wet coughs and bronchitis. It is not a good medicine on its own but could be paired with stronger herbs.

 

The seeds of the chokecherry have high concentrations of hydrogen cyanide which is poison, but it is what gives almonds their distinctive flavor. In small amounts hydrogen cyanide is effective in improving respirations, digestion and can suppress the growth of cancer cells. It should be used with caution.