Cascara, California Buckthorn, Cascara buckthorn, Bearberry
Frangula purshiana

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A very small tree. It grows to about 6 m high. The trunk can be 25 cm across. The bark is thin and greyish-brown. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 4-16 cm long and usually widest just above the middle. The base is rounded and the tip is short. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are yellowish green. They are small. The fruit are like berries. They are round and blackish. They are 8-14 mm across and contain 2-3 small nutlike seeds.

There are over 100 Rhamnus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist organic soils. It can also grow on sandy or gravelly soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Mexico, North America, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are sometimes eaten. They are slightly bitter but can be used for jams, jellies and preserves. The bark has to have its bitterness removed and is then a flavouring for soft drinks, baked goods and ice cream.

Edible parts

Fruit, bark - flavouring, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cascara sagrada

Synonyms

Cardiolepis obtusa Raf.: Frangula anonifolia (Greene) Grubov; Rhamnus annonifolia Greene; Rhamnus purshiana DC.;