This genus is comprised primarily
of deciduous shrubs that are native to the eastern part of North
America. It has 2 or 3 species depending on the taxonomist and
one of the species was introduced to Europe and has become
naturalized as an exotic.
Aronia is from
the Greek for "whitebeam" which refers to a species of
Sorbus (mountain ash) whose fruit resembles
those of the chokeberry.