Frangula caroliniana
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Frangula caroliniana var. mollis
- Rhamnus caroliniana
- Rhamnus caroliniana var. mollis
- Phonetic Spelling
- FRANG-yoo-luh kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Carolina buckthorn is a native deciduous shrub or small tree found in bottomlands, stream banks, and woods of the Eastern and Central United States and portions of Mexico. In North Carolina, it is primarily found in the mountains. It can grow 10 to 15 feet tall and be equally wide, with a spreading, open crown. This plant is known for its glossy, dark green, elliptical leaves. The flowers appear in the spring and are small, greenish-yellow to creamy-green, and insignificant. They are followed by a berry-like drupe in the fall, which is a favorite of wildlife. This plant is a member of the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). The genus name, Frangula, is Greek and is the name of various spiny shrubs. This plant was originally discovered in South Carolina. The specific epithet, caroliniana, meaning from South Carolina. Although the common name of this plant is Carolina buckthorn, it does not have spines or thorns.
Carolina buckthorn is easy to grow in average, moist, well-drained alkaline soils in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to most soil types as long as it is moist. As the shrub or tree matures, it becomes more drought-tolerant. Pruning may be required to prevent legginess and to maintain its shape. Best propagated by its seeds.
Black drupes are present in the fall and may persist through the winter. Wildlife enjoy them as a food source; however, the berries of the Carolina buckthorn are toxic for humans and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress if ingested. Monitor small children in the presence of this shrub.
The Carolina buckthorn can be used as a hedge or small understory tree in naturalized areas to attract wildlife or for screening and privacy in your home landscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. May be susceptible to the crown rust of oats. Leaf spot can occur.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Frangula
- Species:
- caroliniana
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the bark to make tea that could be used as a laxative or to induce vomiting; thus, explains the common name, Indian cherry.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Central & Southeastern United States to Northeast Mexico
- Distribution:
- Native: United States--AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA; Mexico Northeast
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Birds and other wildlife eat the berries. Deer browse the leaves. The plant is the larval host of the snout butterfly.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Edible fruit
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Wind Break
- Edibility:
- The fruit is sweet, and some people consider it edible; however, some have experienced severe gastrointestinal distress. Ingestion of the berries is not recommended.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Irregular
- Open
- Oval
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a fleshy drupe, red maturing to a shiny, black. It measures about 0.25 inches in diameter, and matures from September to October, persisting through the winter. They contain three reddish-brown seeds.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small, greenish- yellow or creamy-green, with 5 tiny petals with pointed tips, and appear singularly or in small clusters of 2 to 10 blooms at the bases of the leaves. Blooms from May to June.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple, glossy, dark green, elliptical to oblong, with smooth margins or have very small, rounded, finely toothed. Each leaf measures 4 to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. They have 8 to 10 pairs of prominent veins, especially on the lower surface. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth and bright green. The tip is pointed, and the base is rounded or tapered. The fall color is yellowish-green to orangish-yellow or red. The petiole measures up to 0.5 inches long.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Lenticels
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth, grayish-brown, and may have darker blotches, with a few slightly raised lenticels and shallow fissures.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender, greenish to red when young, and become gray as they mature. They initially have gray hair, and later become smooth. The buds are small, scaleless, elongated, and narrow, with dense hairs.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Children
