Photos and Characteristics of Wetland Plant Species > This Category

Rhamnus cathartica ~ common buckthorn

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Characteristics:

• FAC

• Michigan C Value: 0

• leaf arrangement is usually sub opposite; can appear opposite

• fine and rounded serration at leaf edges

• pair of winter terminal buds that have a dark “deer hoof” appearance

• maturing trunks have conspicuous lenticels

• the bark is dark gray and the inner bark is orange (seen when the tree is cut)

• twigs are usually tipped with a sharp spine

• yellow green, 4 petaled flowers in clusters of 2 to 6 near the base of the petioles

• small, purple to black berries are 0.25 inch in diameter; ripen in autumn

• can grow to 25 feet in height

• highly invasive; invades wetlands and can form dense thickets except where there is standing water

• non–native