Carolina buckthorn is a native deciduous shrub or small tree found in bottomlands, stream banks, and woods of the Eastern and Central United States and portions of Mexico. In North Carolina, it is primarily found in the mountains. It can grow 10 to 15 feet tall and be equally wide, with a spreading, open crown. This plant is known for its glossy, dark green, elliptical leaves. The flowers appear in the spring and are small, greenish-yellow to creamy-green, and insignificant. They are followed by a berry-like drupe in the fall, which is a favorite of wildlife. This plant is a member of the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). The genus name, Frangula , is Greek and is the name of various spiny shrubs. This plant was originally discovered in South Carolina. The specific epithet, caroliniana , meaning from South Carolina. Although the common name of this plant is Carolina buckthorn, it does not have spines or thorns. Carolina buckthorn is easy to grow in average, moist, well-drained alkaline soils in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to most soil types as long as it is moist. As the shrub or tree matures, it becomes more drought-tolerant. Pruning may be required to prevent legginess and to maintain its shape. Best propagated by its seeds. Black drupes are present in the fall and may persist through the winter. Wildlife enjoy them as a food source; however, the berries of the Carolina buckthorn are toxic for humans and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress if ingested. Monitor small children in the presence of this shrub. The Carolina buckthorn can be used as a hedge or small understory tree in naturalized areas to attract wildlife or for screening and privacy in your home landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. May be susceptible to the crown rust of oats. Leaf spot can occur. More information on Rhamnus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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)
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Irregular; Open; Oval; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth; Velvety
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, glossy, dark green, elliptical to oblong, with smooth margins or have very small, rounded, finely toothed. Each leaf measures 4 to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. They have 8 to 10 pairs of prominent veins, especially on the lower surface. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth and bright green. The tip is pointed, and the base is rounded or tapered. The fall color is yellowish-green to orangish-yellow or red. The petiole measures up to 0.5 inches long.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Green
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Bell
Flower detail
The flowers are small, greenish- yellow or creamy-green, with 5 tiny petals with pointed tips, and appear singularly or in small clusters of 2 to 10 blooms at the bases of the leaves. Blooms from May to June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a fleshy drupe, red maturing to a shiny, black. It measures about 0.25 inches in diameter, and matures from September to October, persisting through the winter. They contain three reddish-brown seeds.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
The bark is smooth, grayish-brown, and may have darker blotches, with a few slightly raised lenticels and shallow fissures.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stems are slender, greenish to red when young, and become gray as they mature. They initially have gray hair, and later become smooth. The buds are small, scaleless, elongated, and narrow, with dense hairs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
East Central & Southeastern United States to Northeast Mexico
Distribution
Native: United States--AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA; Mexico Northeast
Wildlife value
This plant attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Birds and other wildlife eat the berries. Deer browse the leaves. The plant is the larval host of the snout butterfly.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
The fruit is sweet, and some people consider it edible; however, some have experienced severe gastrointestinal distress. Ingestion of the berries is not recommended.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Native Americans used the bark to make tea that could be used as a laxative or to induce vomiting; thus, explains the common name, Indian cherry.