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Carolina buckthorn

How to identify Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana)

Carolina buckthorn, also known as American buckthorn, Yellowwood

Carolina buckthorn is a small deciduous tree or shrub, reaching heights of 12-20 feet (3.7-6.1 m) with a sprawling open crown that adds to its visual appeal. Its inconspicuous spring flowers escape easy notice, but its fall fruit, a berry-like drupe, stands out and is eagerly sought by wildlife. This drupe matures to a dark color, contrasting with the surrounding foliage.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Carolina buckthorn

1

Fruit: Small oval drupe transitions from red to black, smooth texture with glossy sheen.

2

Leaf: Glossy green, 2-6 inches long, pointed tip, rounded or tapered base, prominent veins.

3

Flower: Small, greenish-white, 0.2-0.3 inches across, 4-5-parted petals, clustered at leaf bases.

4

Stem: Slender, reddish-brown, gray pubescence, small fuzzy buds, delicate branching pattern.

5

Trunk & Bark: Smooth gray-brown bark with small lenticels, scattered dark blotches, shallow fissures.

Carolina buckthornCarolina buckthornCarolina buckthornCarolina buckthornCarolina buckthorn

Detailed Traits of Carolina buckthorn

Leaf Features

The leaves of carolina buckthorn are 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, glossy green, with smooth margins or very small, rounded teeth. The veins are prominent, particularly on the lower surface. Each leaf has a pointed tip and a rounded or tapered base, making its distinctive, eye-catching shape and texture ideal for plant identification.

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Flower Features

The flowers of carolina buckthorn are small, with each measuring about 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5-7 mm) across. They are typically greenish-white and arranged in small clusters at the bases of the leaves. The flowers are 4-5-parted, having four to five petals. Blooming period is from April to May. Their arrangement and structure, with multiple small clusters at leaf bases, are key identification features.

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Stem Features

The stem of carolina buckthorn is slender, displaying a distinctive reddish-brown hue. It is adorned with gray pubescence, giving it a slightly fuzzy texture. The buds on the stem are very small, naked, and brown with an additional layer of fuzz. The stem tends to be more delicate and thin, making the pubescence more prominent. These features, along with its branching pattern, are key identifiers for carolina buckthorn in various habitats.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of carolina buckthorn is a fleshy drupe which transitions in color from red to black as it matures. It typically appears from August to October. The drupe is small and oval, providing a distinct visual when it turns black upon reaching full ripeness. Its texture is smooth, accented by a glossy sheen, lending it a notable appearance among the foliage. While in its red phase, the fruit may attract various wildlife, but it is upon blackening that it reaches its seed dispersal stage.

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Key Facts About Carolina buckthorn

Attributes of Carolina buckthorn
Spread
3 m to 4.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Yellow
Gold
Flower Color
White
Red
Black
Burgundy
Fruit Color
Red
Black
Burgundy
Stem Color
Red
Brown
Burgundy
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Carolina buckthorn
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Scientific Classification of Carolina buckthorn

Family
Buckthorn
Icon allow
Species
Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana)
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Distribution Map of Carolina buckthorn

Carolina buckthorn is native to the southeastern region of North America. It has also been introduced and cultivated in various suitable climates outside its native range, adapting to similar habitats across the continent. The plant thrives in areas that mirror the temperate and subtropical conditions of its place of origin.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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