Common Buckthorn European Buckthorn

common_buckthorn_rhamnus_cathartica.jpg

Illustration of common buckthorn leaves and fruits.

Common buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica.

Paul Nelson

Thorny

Poisonous

Invasive

Other Common Name:

European Buckthorn

Family:

Rhamnaceae (buckthorns)

Description:

Common buckthorn is a many-branched, shrubby tree with a spreading, irregular crown.

Leaves are simple, some appearing alternate but most are opposite, egg-shaped, abruptly pointed (sometimes rounded) at the tip, finely toothed. Both upper and lower surfaces are smooth. Leaves have 3–5 pairs of veins branching from the midvein that curve along the edges of the leaf. Leaves appear early in spring and are retained late into autumn.

Bark is grayish brown with white narrow lines (lenticels), and is rough in texture at maturity. Trunk diameter to 10 inches.

Twigs are elongated, dark buds are closely pressed against the twig. The terminal bud is often modified into a spine.

Flowers April–June; male and female flowers usually produced on separate plants. Flowers have 4 small, yellowish-green petals and appear in clusters.

Fruits August–September, often remaining until December; round, black, small (up to ¼ inch in diameter), juicy, typically contain 3–4 seeds.

Similar species: Five species in genus Rhamnus are recorded to live wild in Missouri.

Size:

Height: to 25 feet.

Habitat and conservation:

Common buckthorn is an invasive ornamental that escapes cultivation. It has become naturalized in woodlands, savannas, prairies, abandoned fields, pastures, fence rows, roadsides, and ravine slopes. It is cultivated for hedges and wildlife habitat and is used in shelterbelt plantings. The fruit is readily eaten by birds, which spread the seeds throughout the landscape. The shrub readily resprouts from cut or damaged stems. Making matters worse, this and other species in the genus are the overwintering hosts for the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, a serious pest of soybean crops that requires both buckthorn and soybean plants to complete its life cycle.

image of Common Buckthorn distribution map

Distribution in Missouri:

Current distribution is scattered in at least 9 counties, but it could become established throughout the state.

Status:

An exotic species native to Eurasia and introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub. It has become naturalized from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, south to Missouri, and east to Virginia. While listed as a noxious weed and prohibited in six states, there were no restrictions on common buckthorn in Missouri as of June 2011. Its use, however, is strongly discouraged, as it has already begun to establish itself in our state.

Life cycle:

Common buckthorn produces fruit that is readily eaten by birds. The severe laxative effect of the fruits readily distributes seeds. The shrub readily resprouts from cut or damaged stems.

Control:

Common Buckthorn Control

Human connections:

Although it is an invasive shrub, difficult to eradicate and a nuisance at best, these exotic buckthorns are still sold as ornamentals and hedges by several nurseries. This plant is poisonous if eaten. Plant native shrubs instead — such as fragrant sumac, winterberry holly, or spicebush.

Ecosystem connections:

Birds eat the berries, spreading this invasive shrub. Once established, common buckthorn shades and crowds out native shrubs and trees in the middle layer of woodlands, where many bird species nest. It forms an impenetrable layer of vegetation, degrading wildlife habitat.