Carolina Buckthorn

Carolina Buckthorn

Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A. Gray
(formerly Rhamnus caroliniana Walter)

Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)

▲ mature shrub with fruit

▲ ▼ young plants

▲ ▼ alternate leaves and immature fruit

▲ ▼ mature fruit

Carolina Buckthorn:

• Large U.S. native shrub or small tree in the Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae) with shiny green, elongated-oval leaves with pointed tips
• Leaves tend to be alternate (different from the non-native and invasive European Buckthorn or Glossy Buckthorns' more opposite or near opposite leaf arrangement)
• Leaf margins may be smooth or with tiny, rounded teeth, and few to no hairs on either side
• Is dioecious, with separate male and female plants; has tiny flowers; fruit is a green, turning to reddish purple to black drupe, eaten & spread by birds
• Need to be sure to identify buckthorns carefully to keep the naive and remove the invasive in wildland seetings

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