Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rhamnales>Rhamnaceae>Frangula caroliniana (Walt.) Gray

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) leaves

Carolina Buckthorn is a small tree or large shrub of forests, found most often over basic rock. In North Carolina it's rare, found in a few counties in the Mountains and Piedmont.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) leaves flowers

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) leaf underside flowers

Leaf undersides.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) flowers

The 5-parted flowers are small and white.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) fruit

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) fruit

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) leaves

Recently a colony was found in the Blackwood Division of Duke Forest in Orange County, photographed here.

Formerly known as Rhamnus caroliniana.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) buds

The fuzzy brown naked buds are quite distinctive.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) flowers

Orange Co., NC 5/30/04.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) fruit

The fruits turn from red to black as they ripen.

Orange Co., NC 9/14/04.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) bark

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) bark

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) bark

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula/Rhamnus caroliniana) bark

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

More information:
Bioimages
Oklahoma Biological Survey
USDA PLANTS Database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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