Frangula caroliniana
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| Species: | F. caroliniana
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| Binomial name | |
| Frangula caroliniana | |
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Frangula caroliniana, commonly called the Carolina buckthorn,[2] 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.[3] There is also an isolated population in the State of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico.[4] It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including barrens, forests, and limestone bluffs.[5]
Description
Rhamnus caroliniana is usually around 12 to 15 feet (3.6-4.5 meters) high, but capable of reaching 40 feet (12 meters) in a shaded location.[6] 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.[7]
Despite its common name, the Carolina buckthorn is completely thornless.
References
- ^ Tropicos, Rhamnus caroliniana Walter
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Frangula caroliniana". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ^ "Rhamnus caroliniana Range Map" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ Flora of North America Frangula caroliniana
- ^ "Rhamnus caroliniana Carolina Buckthorn" (PDF). University of Florida. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ Fragula caroliniana Fact Sheet (Virginia Tech)
External links
