Rhamnus cathartica
Common Buckthorn

This plant is considered invasive.

Family:

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family) 5

Genus:

Rhamnus (Buckthorn) 1

Plant Type:

Shrub/Tree 80

Growth Forms:

Bushy 187

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Green (Not ornamentally important)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark glossy green leaves in summer)

Fruit Notes:

Black (Round and glossy; attractive to birds who spread the seeds; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

18-25 feet

Ultimate Spread:

18-25 feet

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to different soils

Range:

Europe

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Very (1.5-3" long) dark green leaves with 3-5 pairs of prominent curved veins, gray bark, and black fruit. Margins are crenulate-serrulate. By comparison, Rhamnus frangula has 8 or 9 pairs of impressed veins and entire margins. Stems are glamorous with many long spines.

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Buckthorn

Special Characteristics:

Drought Tolerant 289

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 187

Indiana Prohibited Sale 19

Midwest Invasive 42

Additional Information

Tolerates most sites. Dioecious. Very invasive, by the seeds that birds love to eat; probably best to refrain from planting this species in the landscape. Susceptible to rusts (Puccinia coronata), that also attacks oats (in oat growing areas, buckthorn eradication is recommended). The bark, leaves, and fruit were once used in purgatives, thus one of this plant's common names, "Purging Buckthorn".

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Habit

Foliage

Bark

Immature Fruit

Buds

Winter Habit

When Rhamnus cathartica has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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Fruiting

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2 Rhamnus cathartica found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2009_06790*A	BELL
2	2009_10313*A	HIKS

Other plants like this Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)

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