Frangula caroliniana
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhamnus caroliniana
- Phonetic Spelling
- FRANG-yoo-luh kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Carolina Buckthorn is a small native deciduous tree or shrub found in bottomlands, stream banks and woods of eastern and central USA. In NC it is primarily found in the mountains. It can grow from 12-20 feet tall with a spreading open crown. The flowers are insignificant in spring and are followed by a berry-like drupe in fall that is a favorite of wildlife.
Carolina Buckthorn is easy to grow in average, moist, well-drained alkaline soils in full sun to partial shade. It can be used in naturalized areas to attract wildlife, as a hedge or for screening.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Frangula
- Species:
- caroliniana
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Central & South Eastern U.S.A. to North East Mexico
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat and drought tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is a fleshy drupe, red maturing to black. Displays from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flowers small, 4-5-parted in small clusters at the bases of the leaves. Blooms from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Velvety
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 2-6 inches long glossy green leaves have smooth margins or with very small, rounded teeth and veins prominent, especially on the lower surface. The tip is pointed and base rounded or tapered.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray-brown, may have darker blotches, with a few slightly raised lenticels and shallow fissures.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Smooth/Hairless
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Slender, reddish-brown with gray pubescence; buds very small, naked and brown with fuzz.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
