Common Name: Common Buckthorn

General Information

Rhamnus cathartica is a spiny, strongly-branching, deciduous shrub or a small tree that can grow around 2 - 8 metres tall. The plant spreads to form thickets[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.
Rhamnus cathartica has a large extent of occurrence and the population is thought to be large as well; it has no known threats The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].
Rhamnus cathartica has been cultivated in the past for ornament, shelter and as a hedge. It has a wide habitat tolerance as it can tolerate extremes in soil moisture, herbivory, pathogens and shade. It also exhibits high fecundity, rapid growth rates, and low mortality. Reproduction can occur after 9 - 11 years after which fruit production is generally very high. The species has often escaped from cultivation and has become naturalised and invasive within northern USA and Canada. It has been declared a noxious weed in several N. American states[, ].

Known Hazards

The fruit is purgative but not seriously poisonous[]. Other parts of the plant may also be poisonous[, , , ].
Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Throughout Europe and the Caucasus, east to West Siberia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Iran; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Fen peat, scrub, hedges, ash and oak woods, on calcareous often dry soils[]. Wetlands, woodlands, disturbed sites, ravine slopes and fens, most commonly in open areas or forest edges as optimum growth occurs in well lit sites[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rhamnus cathartica is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -35°c when fully dormant[].
Grows best in an open, sunny position but also doing well in light dappled shade[]. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[]. Prefers a dry or moist calcareous soil[, , ].
Plants regenerate well after cutting or burning but young plants are rather prone to frost damage when grown in an exposed position[].
Plants respond well to trimming and can easily be pruned to form a tree shape[].
Plants are resistant to cattle grazing but young plants can be damaged by rabbits[].
Plants have a very shallow root system[].
This species often bears the aecidospore stage of 'crown rust' of oats so it should not be grown near cereals[, ].
The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
A good bee plant[, ] and a main food plant for the brimstone butterfly[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Both the bark and the fruit of common buckthorn have been used for their purgative effect upon the body, however they can be rather violent in their action and so are rarely used in human medicines[].

The berries, harvested when fully ripe, are cathartic, depurative, diuretic, laxative and violently purgative[, , , , , , , ]. The berries are usually given in a syrupy vehicle to counteract their irriitant action[]. About 8 - 15 of the mature fruits, chewed before breakfast, are a strong and effective laxative for adults, they should not be used by children[]. An infusion of the not quite mature fruits is gentler in its action[].
Use with caution, in large doses the fruit can cause vomiting and violent diarrhoea[, ].

La madera, pesada y fibrosa, puede tomar un bello pulimento; se utilizó para fabricar mangos de herramientas, en marquetería, tornería.

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is often grown as an informal hedge, and is also amenable to trimming for use as a formal hedge[, , , ].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The unripe fruits yield a yellow colour, the ripe ones an emerald green, and the over-ripe fruits yield a purple-red[].
A green dye is obtained from the immature fruit[, , , , ]. Mixed with gum arabic and limewater, it makes a green pigment used in watercolour painting[]. Yellow, orange and brownish dyes can also be obtained[]. The colours are rich but fugitive[].
A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[, , ]. It has been used to colour paper and maps[].
The fresh bark yields a bright yellow colour, the dry bark a cinnamon brown; a red is obtained with alum as a mordant, with iron vitriol a black is obtained[].

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of Rhamnus species are generally rich in fatty oil and several of them are extracted for use as lubricating oils etc[].

The bark is rich in tannins[].

The wood is heavy, hard and handsome with reddish veins and marble-like grain. It can take a beautiful polish. It can be used to make tool handles, in marquetry, turnery, for carpentry etc[, , , ].
The wood makes an excellent fuel[].

Propagation

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, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame.
Layering in early spring[].