Rhamnus cathartica // Common Buckthorn
Origin: Native to temperate Europe and Asia and Northwestern Africa
Etymology/Cultural Associations: Genus Rhamnus comes from Greek Rhamnos meaning “branch.” Species epithet (cathartica) comes from Greek “cathartikos” meaning “cleansing” or “purging” because the bark is used to prepare purgatives. Common name refers to terminal spikes that sometimes appear at the ends of branches.
Common buckthorn was originally introduced in the late 1700′s as an ornamental plant, and used for hedgerows and boundaries. Since then, it has escaped cultivation and is now labeled invasive.
Zone: 3-8
Habitat: Spontaneous Urban Growth community. Prefers consistent moisture but grows easily in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Adapts to a variety of soils and environments. Shade-tolerant and fast-growing, it is now considered an invasive species.
Mature Size: 16-25′ tall with 10-15′ spread. Thicket-forming habit.
Leaves: Subopposite. Simple. Leaves are elliptic to oval in shape and dark green in color. Leaves grow to 3" long and have toothed margins.
Bark: Distinctive thin gray-brown bark with horizontal lenticels, yellow inner bark and orange heartwood.
Flower/Fruit: Dioecious. Small yellow-green flowers bloom in the Spring. Fruit of female trees is round, fleshy, berry-like, black drupe (1/4" diameter). Berries contain 3-4 seeds each. Birds are very attracted to the fruit.
[www.missouribotanicalgarden.org]
[www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org]
[http://na.fs.fed.us/]