Rhamnus cathartica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- RAM-nus kat-AR-tik-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Easy to transplant; fruit attracts birds. Small evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs, twigs often thorn-tipped.
Site: range of soil types; tolerates drought and air pollution
Texture: Large shrub to low branched small tree; rounded; crocked stems
Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion.
Severity: CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.
Found in: Forest or natural areas in rich woods, landscapes as cultivated ornamental shrub.
Growth Rate: Moderate to rapid
- 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:
- Rhamnus
- Species:
- cathartica
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to Western Siberia and North West China and NW. Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruit attracts birds
- Dimensions:
- Height: 18 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Fleshy, black berry. 0.2 in. glossy black fruit in fall
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Flowers:
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, 4-5-parted.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- leaves alternate or nearly opposite, simple, smooth or toothed. 1.5 to 3 in., dark green leaves; modest yellowish green fall color
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Crocked stems
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
