Italian Buckthorn
Rhamnus alaternus
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus:
- Rhamnus
- Species:
- Rhamnus alaternus
- USDA Symbol:
- RHAL12
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire; common in fire-prone Mediterranean shrublands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions with calcareous soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be erratic; fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI