| Frangula caroliniana | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Frangula |
| Species: | F. caroliniana |
| Binomial name | |
| Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A.Gray | |
| |
| Generalized natural range of Frangula caroliniana | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Frangula caroliniana, commonly called the Carolina buckthorn, is a deciduous upright shrub or small tree native to the southeastern, south-central, and mid-western parts of the United States, from Texas east to Florida and north as far as Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, and Oklahoma. There is also an isolated population in the State of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including barrens, forests, and limestone bluffs.
Description
Frangula caroliniana is usually around 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 meters) high, but capable of reaching 40 feet (12 meters) in a shaded location. The most striking characteristic of this plant are its shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers are very small and inconspicuous, pale yellow-green, bell-shaped, appearing in leaf axils in late spring after the leaves. The fruit is a small (1/3 inch or 8.3 mm) round drupe; at first red, but later turning black with juicy flesh. It ripens in late summer.
Despite its common name, the Carolina buckthorn is completely thornless.
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Frangula caroliniana in bloom
Ecology and uses
Wildlife such as songbirds eat the fruits, which are reported to have medicinal uses.
References
- IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; et al. (BGCI) (2020). "Frangula caroliniana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T152857979A152907018. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T152857979A152907018.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Tropicos, Rhamnus caroliniana Walter
- NRCS. "Frangula caroliniana". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- "Rhamnus caroliniana Range Map" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- Flora of North America Frangula caroliniana
- "Rhamnus caroliniana Carolina Buckthorn" (PDF). University of Florida. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- "Fragula caroliniana Fact Sheet (Virginia Tech)". Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- Little, Elbert L. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. New York: Knopf. p. 594. ISBN 0-394-50760-6.
