Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Franz Xaver
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus:
- Rhamnus
- Species:
- Rhamnus cathartica
- USDA Symbol:
- RHCA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
black-and-white leafroller (Syndemis afflictana), Cnidocampa flavescens, Dimorphic Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena mollisaria), oak leafroller moth (Argyrotaenia quercifoliana), Tawny Phosphor (Triphosa haesitata)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Stigmella rhamnicola
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, green
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in calcareous soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification; germination can be erratic. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI