Indian cherry, Carolina Buckthorn, Redberry, Yellowwood, Yellow buckthorn
Frangula caroliniana

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. The crown is spreading. The branches are slender. It grows 9 m high. The trunk is 15 cm across. The bark is grey and often with black patches. The leaves are 5-13 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and have fine wavy teeth along the edge. The veins are almost straight. The leaves have rust coloured hairs when young. The mature leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The leaves turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are 5 mm wide. They are bell shaped. There are 5 pointed greenish-yellow sepals. The flowers occur in clusters at the base of the leaves. The fruit are 10 mm across. They are berry like and turn from red to black. They contain 3 seeds.

There are over 100 Rhamnus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows well on wet soils in stream valleys and on limestone ridges. It grows up to 600 m altitude in the southern USA. It suits hardiness zones 5 to 9. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Europe, Mexico, North America, USA, Tasmania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be used as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Yellow buckthorn

Synonyms

Rhamnus caroliniana Walter;