How to identify Butcher's-broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

How to identify Butcher's-broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

Butcher's-broom, also known as Shepherd's myrtle, Pettigree, Knee holly, Knee hull, Jew's myrtle

Butcher's-broom is an evergreen shrub with a robust stance typically reaching knee height. It showcases stiff, green foliage that resembles true leaves but are actually flattened stems called cladodes. These cladodes are sharply pointed and give the plant a spiky texture. Over time, butcher's-broom develops into dense clusters through its slowly expanding root system, forming sturdy clumps with a potential spread of up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm). In early spring, practitioners may remove the old, withered stems to encourage fresh growth. Butcher's-broom is well adapted to a variety of light conditions, from partial shade to deeper shaded areas, and shows a remarkable resilience to drought and other stressful environmental factors such as heat and salt.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Butcher's-broom

Cladodes instead of true leaves; spiky texture.

Small, gray-white flowers with star-shaped petals.

Bold red berries, non-edible but visually striking.

Ovate cladophylls ending in spiny tip, no visible veins.

Persistent, glossy foliage with potential spread of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm).

Detailed Traits of Butcher's-broom

Leaf Features

The leaves of butcher's-broom are actually cladophylls—flattened, leaf-like structures emerging from the stems. These cladophylls are ovate, thick, and end in a spiny tip. They have a glossy, dark green appearance and measure up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length. The surface is smooth without visible veins, providing a sturdy and sleek texture typical to butcher's-broom. These unique features are crucial for identifying the plant.

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Flower Features

Butcher's-broom produces small, dull gray-white flowers during spring. The blossoms measure approximately 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) across. These flowers typically have a simple, star-shaped structure with several pointed petals, arranged symmetrically around the center. Some cultivars may feature perfect flowers, which contain both male and female reproductive organs. Despite their muted color, the unique, subtle appearance of these flowers makes them a distinctive feature in the botanical landscape.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of butcher's-broom is a distinguishing feature appearing as glossy, bold red berries. These fruits develop on the female plants during autumn, provided pollination has occurred with the proximity of a male plant. They are known for their persistence, often remaining attached and visually striking into the winter months. Each berry typically measures about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter and, despite their attractiveness, they are not edible for humans. The berries are typically round, adding a splash of color against the backdrop of the plant's evergreen foliage.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Butcher's-broom and Their Similar Plants

Spineless butcher's broom vs. Butcher's-broom: What's The Difference?

Though its Latin name, Ruscus hypoglossum, means "prickly plants," spineless butcher's broom is actually not a prickly variety. Its flowers and occasional red berries appear to grow from the center of its leaves but are actually emerging from leaf-like flattened stems called phylloclades.

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Key Facts About Butcher's-broom

Attributes of Butcher's-broom

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

61 cm to 91 cm

Flower Color

Green

White

Fruit Color

Red

Stem Color

Green

Red

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Butcher's-broom

Toxic to Dogs

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Scientific Classification of Butcher's-broom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Butcher's-broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

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Distribution Map of Butcher's-broom

Butcher's-broom is a plant species indigenous to Southern Europe, parts of North Africa, and Western Asia. Butcher's-broom thrives in these Mediterranean and subtropical locales. Beyond its native regions, butcher's-broom has been introduced and is now cultivated in areas across several continents, including North and South America, East Asia, and parts of Europe outside its original range.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Butcher's-broom How to Grow and Care for Butcher's-broom