Purging 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
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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.
- 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
- 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.
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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
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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)
- 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
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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
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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
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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
- 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.
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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.
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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
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
