Kingdom Plantae Family Rhamnaceae Scientific name Rhamnus caroliniana | Order Rosales Genus Rhamnus Rank Species | |
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Similar Viburnum rufidulum, Frangula betulifolia, Ilex decidua, Prunus mexicana, Cornus drummondii | ||
Rhamnus caroliniana, the Carolina buckthorn, is an upright shrub or small tree native to the southeastern, south-central, and mid-western parts of the United States, from Texas east to Florida and north as far as Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, and Oklahoma. There is also an isolated population in the State of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico.
Description
Rhamnus caroliniana is usually around 12 to 15 feet (3.6-4.5 meters) high, but capable of reaching 40 feet (12 meters) 25/3in a shaded location. The most striking characteristic of this plant are its shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers are very small and inconspicuous, pale yellow-green, bell-shaped, appearing in leaf axils in late spring after the leaves. The fruit is a small (1/3 inch or 8.3 mm) round drupe; at first red, but later turning black with juicy flesh. It ripens in late summer.
Despite its common name, the Carolina buckthorn is completely thornless.
