| Rhamnus caroliniana | |
|---|---|
| Carolina Buckthorn with immature fruit | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Rhamnus |
| Species: | R. caroliniana |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhamnus caroliniana Walter |
|
Rhamnus caroliniana (syn. Frangula caroliniana), the Carolina Buckthorn, is an upright shrub or small tree native to the Southeastern United States. There is a local disjunct population in Mexico as well.[1]
Rhamnus caroliniana is usually around 12 to 15 feet high, but capable of reaching 40 feet in a shaded location.[2] 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) round drupe; at first red, but later turning black with juicy flesh. It ripens in late summer.[3]
Despite its common name, the Carolina Buckthorn is completely thornless.