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Carolina Buckthorn

Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A. Gray

(formerly Rhamnus caroliniana Walter)

Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)

▲ mature shrub with fruit

▲▼ young plants

▲▼ alternate leaves and immature fruit

▲▼ mature fruit

Carolina Buckthorn: 

·         Large U.S. native shrub or small tree in the Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae) with shiny green, elongated-oval leaves with pointed tips

·         Leaves tend to be alternate (different from the non-native and invasive  European Buckthorn or Glossy Buckthorns' more opposite or near opposite leaf arrangement)

·         Leaf margins may be smooth or with tiny, rounded teeth, and few  to no hairs on either side

 ·         Is dioecious, with separate male and female plants; has tiny flowers; fruit is a green, turning to reddish purple to black drupe, eaten & spread by birds

·         Need to be sure to identify buckthorns carefully to keep the naive and remove the invasive in wildland seetings

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