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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Rhamnus alaternus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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 dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge Hedge

Plants can be used as a screen or a hedge[200].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or shade[182]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Plants are very tolerant of exposure to salt-laden winds, succeeding in exposed maritime gardens[200]. One report, however, says that they are not very root firm[182]. Hardy to about -15°c[184]. A fairly fast-growing plant[202]. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Rhamnus carolinianus	Indian Cherry, Oak, Carolina Buckthorn	Tree	12.0	5-9	S	LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Rhamnus cathartica	Common Buckthorn	Shrub	6.0	3-7		LMH	SN	DM	0	3	3
Rhamnus croceus	Red Berry	Shrub	4.0	7-10		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Rhamnus dahurica	Dahurian Buckthorn	Shrub	7.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	1	3
Rhamnus frangula	Alder Buckthorn	Shrub	5.0	3-7	S	LMH	SN	MWe	0	3	3
Rhamnus globosa	lokao	Shrub	3.0	0-0		LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Rhamnus grandiflora		Shrub	4.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Rhamnus japonica	Japanese buckthorn	Shrub	3.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	1	2
Rhamnus leptophyllus		Shrub	1.8	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Rhamnus lycioides		Shrub	0.0	-		LMH	N	DM	0	0	1
Rhamnus nepalensis		Shrub	1.5	-		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Rhamnus persicus		Shrub	1.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2	0	2
Rhamnus purpureus		Shrub	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	0	1
Rhamnus purshiana	Cascara Sagrada	Tree	10.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2	3	2
Rhamnus saxatilis	Avignon Berry, Rock buckthorn	Shrub	2.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	0	0	1
Rhamnus saxatilis tinctorius	Dyer's Buckthorn	Shrub	2.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	0	0	1
Rhamnus triquetra		Shrub	7.0	-		LMH	SN	M	0	1	2
Rhamnus utilis	Chinese Buckthorn	Shrub	3.0	-		LMH	N	M	0	0	2
Rhamnus virgatus		Shrub	2.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	1	2

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.

Rhamnus alaternus - L.