Buckthorn is a genus of over 140 species of relatively small, perennial, evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs in the buckthorn family. The species range in height from 3 to 33 feet tall. The common name comes from the plant's thorn-tipped branches.The plant is native to most of the northern hemisphere and typically found in forests or natural areas in rich woods. R. Caroliniana is the species native to North Carolina. Not suprisingly, the genus name comes from the Greek name for spiny shrubs. Buckthorn is a hardy plant that does well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It prefers consistent moisture and adapts to a variety of soils and environments. Buckthorn has been used for ornamental purposes including hedges, privacy screens, and windbreaks. However, one species of buckthorn ( R. cathartica ) is considered invasive in many areas of eastern North America. It can colonize and spread rapidly by self-seeding creating a dense understory of new seedlings the following year. It is very difficult to eradicate once established and should be avoided. Some species of buckthorn are poisonous. R. cathartica is mildly poisonous, R. alaternus can be toxic if consumed in excess, and R. californica is mildly toxic. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to leaf spots, rust, powdery mildew, aphids, and scales. It is sometimes prohibited in areas where oats are grown because it is an alternate host to crown rust disease.
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; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Broad; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate or nearly opposite, simple, smooth or toothed. Species include deciduous and evergreen varieties. The leaves are 1 to 6 inches long, and arranged alternately, in opposite pairs. In many buckthorn species, the veination curves upward towards the tip of the leaf.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Green
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant; Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Rhamnus species are generally dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Most species have yellowish green, small, flowers; produced singly or in axillary cymes, cymose racemes, or cymose panicles containing a few flowers. Cup-shaped, with 4 or 5 ovate-triangular sepals, but a few species may lack petals. The petals are shorter than the sepals.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit detail
Fleshy, black or red berry-like drupes. Fruits have 2 to 4 stones, obovoid-globose or globose shaped. Seeds have a long, narrow, furrow and fleshy endosperm.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America, Europe, Central Asia, Africa.
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to the fruit.
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Some species have varying degrees of poisonous characteristics.