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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Rhamnus virgatus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). 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

R. hirsutus.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Leaves - cooked. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[179]. A tea is made from the leaves[179].

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.
Bitter Emetic Purgative

The fruit is bitter, emetic and purgative[146, 158, 240, 272]. It is used in the treatment of affections of the spleen[240].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fuel Wood

Wood - very hard, close grained. Used only for fuel[146, 158].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[11]. Often bears the aecidospore stage of 'crown rust' of oats[1, 146]. 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 in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed. Germination is usually good, at least 80% by late spring. 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring.

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 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

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 virgatus - Roxb.