Indian Cherry, Oak, Carolina Buckthorn
Rhamnus carolinianus

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval.

Rhamnus carolinianus is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Rich woods, sheltered slopes, borders of streams and limestone ridges. Swamps and low ground.

Eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and Nebraska.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit has a thin rather dry flesh with a sweet and agreeable flavour. The fruit is about 7 - 10mm in diameter and contains 2 - 4 small seeds. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicine

Rating: 1

A tea made from the bark is emetic and strongly laxative. It is used in the treatment of constipation with nervous or muscular atony of the intestines. An infusion of the wood has been used in the treatment of jaundice.

Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

Other

Rating:

Wood - rather hard, light, close grained, not strong. It weighs 34lb per cubic foot. Too small to be of commercial value.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Pest tolerant, Standard, Specimen. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, whether moderately acid or alkaline. Prefers a moist moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. One report suggests that the plant might not be very hardy in Britain, whilst another says that it is in climatic zone 6 and thus tolerates temperatures down to about -15°c. A slow-growing and usually short-lived plant in the wild. Plants are susceptible to 'crown rust' of oats. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. This species is closely related to R. purshiana. Special Features: North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months stratification at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, there is the suggestion that some members of this genus could be mildly poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Frangula caroliniana.