Common Buckthorn, Rhamnus cahartica, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(European Buckthorn). An introduction from Europe a century ago by the nursery trade, for use as hedge material, that is now the scourge of every woodland in the entire United States and Canada north of the southern tier of U. S. states. Growing to a 20 foot tall tree, the plant is identifiable by the dark bark marked with lenticels (raised portions of bark), dull green leaves with blunt tips and toothed edges and with spiny tips on many branches. The leaves will remain until frost, thus in late fall Buckthorn is easily identified by their presence. The small greenish flowers in spring are inconspicuous, forming clusters of blue-black berries in late summer. The seeds are long lived and were it not for the birds that love the berries, control would be easier, but our avian friends spread the seeds from within the berries far and wide. Once established the dense growth of seedlings crowd out all other plants. Eradication by hand pulling is necessary for smaller seedlings as the roots will re-sprout new stems if not removed or killed. Large specimens must have the cut trunk treated to prevent re-growth. Controlled areas must be revisited as seeds in the soil will continue to sprout as long as they are viable. The species name refers refers to a purgative, which the berries are if eaten by humans.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Common Buckthorn	Rhamnus cathartica L.	Buckthorn	Woodland and Upland	Spring flowering Late Summer fruit
Other names and notes	(European Buckthorn). An introduction from Europe a century ago by the nursery trade, for use as hedge material, that is now the scourge of every woodland in the entire United States and Canada north of the southern tier of U. S. states. Growing to a 20 foot tall tree, the plant is identifiable by the dark bark marked with lenticels (raised portions of bark), dull green leaves with blunt tips and toothed edges and with spiny tips on many branches. The leaves will remain until frost, thus in late fall Buckthorn is easily identified by their presence. The small greenish flowers in spring are inconspicuous, forming clusters of blue-black berries in late summer. The seeds are long lived and were it not for the birds that love the berries, control would be easier, but our avian friends spread the seeds from within the berries far and wide. Once established the dense growth of seedlings crowd out all other plants. Eradication by hand pulling is necessary for smaller seedlings as the roots will re-sprout new stems if not removed or killed. Large specimens must have the cut trunk treated to prevent re-growth. Controlled areas must be revisited as seeds in the soil will continue to sprout as long as they are viable. The species name refers refers to a purgative, which the berries are if eaten by humans.