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European Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Rhamnus catharticus
Phonetic Spelling
RAM-nus kat-AR-tik-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Common buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Rhamnaceae or buckthorn family and is native to Europe, Africa and northern Asia. It was introduced to North America in the early 1800s and has spread and become invasive in many northeastern states and Canada. It is found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fencerows, fields, and pastures and undisturbed areas such as riparian, wetland edges and ravine slopes. The plant grows moderately fast, tolerates shade and is short-lived. The species name cathartica refers to its purging effects.

The tree will grow to 30 feet tall with thorny crocked branches. Due to hybridization with native buckthorns, the plant can be variable in looks  The leaves can be opposite, to sub-opposite or even alternate on the stem. The flowers are either male or female and inconspicuous in spring. There are separate male and female trees. Small round drupes appear after blooming on the female trees. It is mildly toxic to humans and mammals but birds will eat the fruits and disperse the seeds. 

The tree will grow in full sun to shade and tolerates moist to well-drained soils. It is difficult to eradicate as it sprouts readily from stumps. Treating stumps has some benefits but the seeds stay viable for years and can sprout at any time.

Common buckthorn provides dense shade that can interfere with the establishment of native plants and alters the ecosystem. Please see native alternatives to the left.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Invasive in many northeastern and midwestern states.

 

 

 

More information on Rhamnus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#thorns#deciduous#poisonous#shrub#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#multitrunked#bird friendly#weed#trees
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#thorns#deciduous#poisonous#shrub#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#multitrunked#bird friendly#weed#trees
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhamnus
    Species:
    cathartica
    Family:
    Rhamnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    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. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    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)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fleshy round drupe, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. Glossy black with 2-4 seeds mature in fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Separate male and female flowers. Flowers are yellowish green in clusters, less than ¼ inch across with 4 prominently spreading sepals. Male flowers with four erect greenish stamens and the female with a single style, the tip 4-parted
  • 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
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The simple leaves are sub-opposite, opposite or nearly alternate, elliptical in shape with toothed margins, arching leaf veins, and a rounded or small pointed tip, rounded or tapered base on a hairy stalk. 1-3" long by 1- 1.5" wide. Leaves persist into late fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Orange
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    The bark is dark brown to dark gray, peels with age and is dotted with vertical light-colored lenticels. The inner bark is orange.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Lenticels:
    Conspicuous
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Crocked green to green-brown mature to brown. At the tip there is often a straight thorn with two elongated, brown scaly buds on opposite sides that curve in similar to a deer hoof, hence the common name
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Glycosides.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits