Native Plants

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Rhamnus lanceolata

Rhamnus lanceolata Pursh

Lanceleaf Buckthorn, Lance-leaf Buckthorn

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RHLA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A large shrub or small tree with hairy twigs and persistent, glossy, narrowly oval leaves. Small, greenish-yellow, four-petaled, bell-shaped flowers occur in sparse, axillary clusters. Pea-sized fruits are first green, then red, finally shiny-black.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NE , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
Native Distribution: PA & IN to SD, s. to AL & TX
Native Habitat: Open, wooded slopes; thickets; limestone exposures

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Calcareous, rocky soils.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC				FAC	FAC		FACW	FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1985 VOL. 2, NO.3 - Greenhouse Assists Research, Wild color on the Hills, Director's Report, Clearin...

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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