Common Name: Dahurian Buckthorn

General Information

Rhamnus davurica is a much-branched, unarmed deciduous shrub or small tree that can eventually grow up to 10 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. Prior to the advent of synthetic dyes it was harvested on a large scale as a dyestuff and widely traded[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, and can be used to make a hedge.

Known Hazards

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

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Range

E. Asia - eastern Russian Federation, northeastern China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Undergrowth of broadleaves and mixed forests[, ]. Forests on slopes, thickets or the margin of forests, humid places along the sides of canals; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	7.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rhamnus davurica is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any reasonably good soil[].
This species is very closely related to Rhamnus cathartica[].
The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. They can be parboiled and eaten[].

The leaves are a tea substitute[, ].

Medicinal

The fleshy fruit is used as medicine[]. No more details are given.

This species is closely related to Rhamnus cathartica and is likely to have similar medicinal uses. These are:-

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[, , , , , , , ].
Use with caution, in large doses the fruit can cause vomiting and violent diarrhoea[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as an informal hedge, they are also amenable to trimming[].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

A green dye is obtained from the leaves, bark and branches. Highly prized for the quality of its green colour, and known as 'Chinese Green Indigo', prior to the advent of synthetic dyes it was used on a wide scale for dyeing cloth and other materials[].[, , , ].
A yellow dye can be obtained from the bark and the fruit[].

A lubricating oil is obtained from the seeds[].

The hard wood can be used to make furniture[].

All the species of Rhamnus contain a mixture of compounds (mainly rhamnetin, quercitin and rhamnazin) that make a range of good quality dyes. The colour and its intensity depend upon what part of the plant is used as dyeing material (leaves, fruits and bark are most commonly used), at what period of growth it is collected and in what state it is used. With the use of the corresponding mordants (alum, copper and iron vitriols, tin dioxide, chromium, etc.) it is possible to obtain virtually the entire spectrum of colours from lemon-yellow to purple and dark cinnamon-brown, from olive-green to intensive blue and violet[].
The dye extracts obtained from the bark, leaves and fruits are suitable for dyeing cottons, silks, woollens, leather, paper and wood. These dyes are often exceptional for their fastness[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification at about 5° and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed[]. Germination is usually good, at least 80% by late spring. 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[].