Eastern Forest Threat Center - Common Buckthorn

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Common buckthorn leaves

Common buckthorn leaves

Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica

Common buckthorn, native to Eurasia, was introduced into the U.S. as an ornamental.

Keywords: Rhamnaceae, shrub, small tree, spines, toothed margins, black fruits; Common names: European buckthorn, Hart's thorn, European waythorn, Rhineberry

Distribution Map Distribution Source Image

Threat Description

Common buckthorn is a shrub or small tree in the buckthorn family that can grow to 22 ft. in height with a 10-in. wide trunk. Mature plants have a spreading, irregular crown shape and rough, grey to brown bark. The inner bark is yellow and heartwood is pink to orange. Twigs are often tipped with a spine. Leaves are broadly oval and rounded or pointed at the tip with 3-4 pairs of up curved veins and jagged, toothed margins. Leaves appear dark, glossy green on the upper surface and stay green late into fall. In spring, dense clusters of 2 to 6, yellow-green, 4-petaled flowers emerge from stems near the bases of leaf stalks. Small black fruits forming in the fall contain 3-4 seeds. Common buckthorn prefers lightly shaded conditions. It is tolerant of many soil types and invades mainly open oak woods, deadfall openings in woodlands, woods edges, roadsides, prairies, and open fields. It forms dense thickets, crowding and shading out native shrubs and herbs, often completely eradicating them. Dense seedlings prevent native tree and shrub regeneration. In fire-adapted ecosystems such as savannas and prairies, the lack of vegetation under common buckthorn prohibits fires.