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Rhamnus carolinianus - Walter.

Common Name Indian Cherry, Oak, Carolina Buckthorn
Family Rhamnaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, there is the suggestion that some members of this genus could be mildly poisonous[65].
Habitats Rich woods, sheltered slopes, borders of streams and limestone ridges[43, 82]. Swamps and low ground[235].
Range Eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and Nebraska.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rhamnus carolinianus Indian Cherry, Oak, Carolina Buckthorn


Carl Hunter. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth.
Rhamnus carolinianus Indian Cherry, Oak, Carolina Buckthorn
USDA Plant Database

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Rhamnus carolinianus is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Frangula caroliniana.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit has a thin rather dry flesh[82] with a sweet and agreeable flavour[2, 11, 105, 229]. The fruit is about 7 - 10mm in diameter and contains 2 - 4 small seeds[229]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Hepatic

A tea made from the bark is emetic and strongly laxative[222]. It is used in the treatment of constipation with nervous or muscular atony of the intestines[222]. An infusion of the wood has been used in the treatment of jaundice[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Wood - rather hard, light, close grained, not strong[82]. It weighs 34lb per cubic foot[227]. Too small to be of commercial value[229].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Pest tolerant, Standard, Specimen. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[11], whether moderately acid or alkaline[149]. Prefers a moist moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade[200]. One report suggests that the plant might not be very hardy in Britain[11], whilst another says that it is in climatic zone 6 and thus tolerates temperatures down to about -15°c[200]. A slow-growing and usually short-lived plant in the wild[229]. Plants are susceptible to 'crown rust' of oats[149]. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species is closely related to R. purshiana[11]. Special Features: North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months stratification at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring[4].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Rhamnus alaternusItalian BuckthornShrub5.0 6-9 FLMHSNDM002
Rhamnus catharticaCommon BuckthornShrub6.0 3-7  LMHSNDM033
Rhamnus croceusRed BerryShrub4.0 7-10  LMHNDM20 
Rhamnus dahuricaDahurian BuckthornShrub7.0 4-8  LMHSNM113
Rhamnus frangulaAlder BuckthornShrub5.0 3-7 SLMHSNMWe033
Rhamnus globosalokaoShrub3.0 0-0  LMHSNM002
Rhamnus grandiflora Shrub4.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Rhamnus japonicaJapanese buckthornShrub3.0 4-8  LMHSNM112
Rhamnus leptophyllus Shrub1.8 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Rhamnus lycioides Shrub0.0 -  LMHNDM001
Rhamnus nepalensis Shrub1.5 -  LMHSNM11 
Rhamnus persicus Shrub1.0 -  LMHSNM202
Rhamnus purpureus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Rhamnus purshianaCascara SagradaTree10.0 -  LMHSNM232
Rhamnus saxatilisAvignon Berry, Rock buckthornShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Rhamnus saxatilis tinctoriusDyer's BuckthornShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Rhamnus triquetra Shrub7.0 -  LMHSNM012
Rhamnus utilisChinese BuckthornShrub3.0 -  LMHNM002
Rhamnus virgatus Shrub2.0 -  LMHSNM112

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Walter.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

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Subject : Rhamnus carolinianus  
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