buckthorn - Classification

A thorny, spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree (Rhamnus catharticus) 4–10 m/13–30 ft, native to Europe and the Mediterranean region; leaves oval, toothed, in opposite pairs; flowers tiny, green, parts in fours; berries 5–10 mm/0·2–0·3 in, black, mildly poisonous, and purgative. (Family: Rhamnaceae.)

?Buckthorn
Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Rhamnaceae Genus: Rhamnus L.
Species
See text.

The Buckthorns Rhamnus are a genus (or two genera, if Frangula is treated as distinct) of about 100 species of shrubs or small trees from 1-10 m tall (rarely to 15 m), in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae.

Classification

The genus is divided into two subgenera, sometimes treated as separate genera:

Subgenus Rhamnus: flowers with four petals, buds with bud scales, leaves opposite or alternate, branches with spines Rhamnus alaternus – Italian Buckthorn Rhamnus alnifolia – Alderleaf Buckthorn Rhamnus arguta – Sharp-tooth Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica – Common Buckthorn Rhamnus crocea – Redberry Buckthorn Rhamnus davurica – Dahurian Buckthorn Rhamnus diffusus Rhamnus globosa – Lokao Buckthorn Rhamnus ilicifolia – Hollyleaf Redberry Rhamnus infectoria Rhamnus japonica – Japanese Buckthorn Rhamnus lanceolata – Lanceleaf Buckthorn Rhamnus libanotica Rhamnus lycioides Rhamnus petiolaris Rhamnus pirifolia – Island Redberry Buckthorn Rhamnus prinoides Rhamnus saxatilis – Rock Buckthorn Rhamnus serrata – Sawleaf Buckthorn Rhamnus smithii – Smith's Buckthorn Rhamnus tinctoria Rhamnus utilis – Chinese Buckthorn Subgenus Frangula: flowers with five petals, buds without bud scales, leaves always alternate, branches without spines Rhamnus betulaefolia (Frangula betulifolia) – Birchleaf Buckthorn Rhamnus californica (Frangula californica) – California Buckthorn Rhamnus caroliniana (Frangula caroliniana) – Carolina Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula (Frangula alnus) – Alder Buckthorn Rhamnus glandulosa Rhamnus latifolia (Frangula azorica) Rhamnus purshiana (Frangula purshiana) – Cascara Buckthorn Rhamnus rubra (Frangula rubra) – Red Buckthorn Rhamnus sphaerosperma (Frangula sphaerosperma) – West Indian Buckthorn

The Purging Buckthorn or Common Buckthorn (R.

There is a legend concerning the Buckthorn which vows that if one sprinkles Buckthorn in a circle and then dances within it under a full Moon, an elf will appear.