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Common buckthorn

How to identify Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Common buckthorn, also known as Purging buckthorn

Common buckthorn is characterized by its function as a deciduous shrub or small tree. It features clusters of small, greenish flowers and produces small, dark berries. The leaves are elliptical, with serrated margins and prominent veins, typically growing to a length of 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm). The plant's bark is gray-brown with a rough texture. It often reaches heights of 6-25 feet (1.8-7.6 meters) with a similar spread. It easily adapts to varied light conditions and has a moderate growth rate.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common buckthorn

1

Elliptical leaves with serrated margins and prominent veins

2

Yellowish green flowers with clusters and distinct male/female characteristics

3

Glossy black drupes, 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-13 mm) in diameter with 2-4 seeds

4

Crooked stem with thorny texture, brown color, and irregular branching pattern

5

Dark brown to gray bark with peeling texture, revealing vibrant orange inner layer

Common buckthornCommon buckthornCommon buckthornCommon buckthornCommon buckthorn

Detailed Traits of Common buckthorn

Leaf Features

The leaves of common buckthorn are simple, appearing sub-opposite, opposite, or nearly alternate, and are elliptical with toothed margins. They measure between 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) in length and 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) in width. These leaves feature arching veins, a rounded or small pointed tip, and a rounded or tapered base, and sit on hairy stalks. Notably, they persist into late fall, making them distinguishable even in cooler seasons.

Leaf Shape

Elliptic ,
Ovate

Common buckthorn Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Common buckthorn Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,
Acute

Common buckthorn Leaf Apex image
Leaf Margin

Serrate

Common buckthorn Leaf Margin image
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Flower Features

The flowers of common buckthorn are yellowish green and form clusters. Each flower is less than 1/4 inch (6 mm) across, displaying four prominently spreading sepals. Male flowers feature four erect greenish stamens, while female flowers exhibit a single style with a tip divided into four parts. These flowers are crucial for distinguishing between male and female plants.

Common buckthorn Flower imageCommon buckthorn Flower image
Corolla Type

Tubular

Inflorescence Type

Fascicle

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Stem Features

The stem of common buckthorn is crooked, varying in color from green to green-brown when mature and turning to brown. The texture is thorny, often featuring a straight thorn at the tip. It has two elongated, brown, scaly buds on opposite sides that curve inward, resembling a deer hoof. The stem’s branching pattern is irregular, providing easy identification. Stems are usually about 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1-2 cm) in thickness.

Common buckthorn Stem imageCommon buckthorn Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of common buckthorn is a fleshy, round drupe measuring approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) in diameter. When ripe in fall, it boasts a glossy black hue. This fruit characteristically contains 2 to 4 seeds encased within its pulp. Its smooth surface and distinctive color make it identifiable amongst other drupes.

Common buckthorn Fruit imageCommon buckthorn Fruit image
Fruit Type

Drupe

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
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Key Facts About Common buckthorn

Attributes of Common buckthorn
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Height
1 m to 10 m
Spread
4.5 m to 6 m
Leaf Color
Green
Yellow
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Green
Fruit Color
Black
Stem Color
Yellow
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Common buckthorn
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Scientific Classification of Common buckthorn

Family
Buckthorn
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Species
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
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Distribution Map of Common buckthorn

Common buckthorn has a large native range stretching from western Europe to Russia and south to the northern tip of Africa. It has become naturalized in Argentina and across much of the United States, where it was introduced as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century but is now invasive. Common buckthorn favors woodland and scrubland areas.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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