| European buckthorn | USDA PLANTS Symbol: RHCA3 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub |
| Rhamnus cathartica L. |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Rhamnales: Rhamnaceae |
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| Synonym(s): common buckthorn, European buckthorn | |
| Native Range: Europe, W. & N. Asia (REHD); | |
Common buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow to 25 ft. (7.6 m) in height. The bark is dark gray and the inner bark is orange (easily seen when the tree is cut). Twigs are usually tipped with a sharp spine. The leaf arrangement is usually subopposite, but examples of opposite and/or alternate arrangements are commonly found. Leaves are dark green, oval, 1.5 to 3 in. (3.8-7.6 cm) long, slightly serrate with 3 to 4 pairs of curving veins and a somewhat folded tip. Flowering occurs in the spring, when yellow-green, 4-petaled flowers develop in clusters of 2 to 6 near the base of the petioles. Plants are dioecious (male and female flowers occur on separate plants). Fruits are small, black berries that are 0.25 in. (0.6 cm) in diameter. Common buckthorn invades forests, prairies and savannas in the Midwestern United States and can form dense thickets crowding out native shrubs and understory plants. Once established, it is difficult to remove. Common buckthorn is a native of Europe and was introduced into the United States as an ornamental shrub. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Foliage; Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Story, County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Leaves often exhibit a curled or crimped look at the tip. Story County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Twig(s)/Shoot(s); Sub-opposite arrangement. South Dakota Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Pointed "buckthorn" at the end of the stem. Story, County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Leaf scars and buds Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Pointed "buckthorn" at the end of a stem. South Dakota Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Bark; Young Stem. South Dakota Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Bark; Orange-colored underbark. Story, County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Staminate flowers Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Stroy County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; On left with bush honeysuckle on right. Story, County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 502. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org |
 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. |
| Native Alternatives: | |
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Cornus racemosa (gray dogwood) Euonymus atropurpureus (burningbush) Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn) Hamamelis virginiana (American witchhazel) Photinia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree) Staphylea trifolia (American bladdernut) Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw) |  More Information on Native Plants at: www.beplantwise.org PlantWise is a partnership between the National Park Service, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Garden Club of America and The National Invasive Species Council to prevent harmful invasive plants from invading natural areas. |
| U.S. National Parks where reported invasive: |
| Minute Man National Historical Park (Massachusetts) Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (Wisconsin) |
