Native Plant Database

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Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Frangula caroliniana (Walt.) Gray

Carolina buckthorn, Carolina false buckthorn, Indian cherry

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Synonyms: Rhamnus caroliniana

USDA Symbol: FRCA13

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This small, deciduous tree or shrub, usually 12-15 ft. tall, can reach 20 ft. in height with leaves that stay green into late fall. Leaves up to 5 inches long, with a petiole as much as 1/2 inch long; blade ovate to elliptic, sometimes narrow, pointed at the tip and tapered or rounded at the base, margins smooth or with very small, rounded teeth, veins prominent, especially on the lower surface; upper surface of blade smooth, bright green. Flowers not showy, yellowish, in small clusters at the bases of the leaves, opening in May and June. Fruit fleshy, 1/4 inch or more in diameter, red, turning black when ripe.

Songbirds and other wildlife consume the berries, which apparently have medicinal properties but can be toxic. Although called a buckthorn, this species has no spines. It was discovered in South Carolina, hence the common and Latin species names.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Ovate
Size Notes: 12-15
Fruit Color: Red turning to black.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , NJ , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: S.w. VA to OH, s. IL & NE, s. to FL & TX
Native Habitat: Bottomlands, ravines and stream bottoms in Edwards Plateau and East Texas. Bottomlands; stream banks; woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, calcareous, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Carolina buckthorn is an understory plant that produces shiny leaves. It stands attractively alone or it works as a specimen. Many bird species feed on the bright red fruit. By fall, the fruits turn black. In light shade, Carolina buckthorn is airy and tiered, somewhat like the flowering dogwoods. Three to four hours per day of sun are necessary. With more sun, the plant tends to get dense and shrubby losing some of its charm. Seedlings are produced in profusion.
Texas comments: Carolina buckthorn is an understory plant that stands attractively alone or it works as a specimen. Many bird species feed on the bright red fruit. By fall, the fruits turn black. In light shade, it is airy and tiered, somewhat like the flowering dogwoods. With more sun, the plant tends to get dense and shrubby losing some of its charm. Seedlings are produced in profusion.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Ripe berries attract birds. Leaves and bark are browsed by deer.
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Snout butterfly
Deer Resistant: None

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Sow fresh seed without pretreatment or stored seed which has been stratified. Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or dormant hardwood cuttings root.
Seed Collection: Collect seeds in fall when fruits have turned dark purple. Clean off pulp to save seed or plant immediately with fruit intact or squished. Seeds to be sown immediately should not dry, as drying induces dormancy. Store seeds in sealed containers kept in a cool, dry place.
Seed Treatment: Stratify 30-60 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Gallon size plants need shade and relative dryness in summer - do not water daily or roots will rot.
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Frangula alnus (glossy buckthorn)
   Rhamnus cathartica (common buckthorn)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: We live in Kempner Texas, our land has mostly cedar trees. We would like to make a wildlife habitat on the back side of our property. Can you recommend plants that will grow in shade to partial sun, compatible with cedar and wildlife friendly? Also we want a good shade tree for our front.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Hello, we live west of Ft Worth. We are looking for tall plants to form a visual screen along a chain link fence we share with a neighbor. We have post oaks there and it is very shady and the ground is sandy and sloping. Our neighbor has planted eleagnus along her side but it is only a few feet tall. The fence line is about 100 feet long and we would like a variety of native plants 6 to 10 foot tall. Can you suggest anything?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I have an area in my front yard that has a drainage ditch running through it. When it rains, that area stays very wet. What kind of plants available for sale will work in this situation?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Frangula caroliniana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Frangula caroliniana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Frangula caroliniana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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