Purging Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Rhamnus cathartica, the European buckthorn, common buckthorn, purging buckthorn, or just buckthorn, is a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Rhamnaceae. It is native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia, from the central British Isles south to Morocco, and east to Kyrgyzstan. It was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub in the early 19th century or perhaps before, and is now naturalized in the northern half of the continent, and is classified as an invasive plant in several US states and in Ontario and Québec, Canada.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
⚠ Safety
Berries are strongly purgative and toxic; grow for wildlife only.
At a glance
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Water need
- Low
- Mature height
- 5 m
- Maintenance
- Low
- Hardiness
- USDA 4–8
- Layers
- shrub, understory
Functional roles
Propagation
How to make more of this plant for free — the permaculture way.
When: Sow seed autumn
Native hedgerow shrub on chalk; also a brimstone-butterfly food plant.
Where to get it
Read more
Seed data pending expert review. Identification photo and description are sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia; always confirm a plant in person before eating any part of it.