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Summary

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

Physical Characteristics

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.

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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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

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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 alaternus	Italian Buckthorn	Shrub	5.0	6-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	0	0	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 carolinianus - Walter.