Plants grow along streams and in forests in the western mountains and in the Midwestern to the Atlantic coastal States. Chokecherry is a member of the rose family. Other species grow elsewhere in the United States. Children have been poisoned by chewing the loaves or seeds.
Cyanide poisoning can occur very quickly and with deadly results.
The leaves, bark, and seeds of other stone fruits, notably cherries, peaches, plums, and apricots may be high in HCN and also should be avoided. Cyanide poisoning produces nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, paralysis of the larnyx, spasms, coma, and death.