Rhamnus cathartica Common buckthorn (Rhamnaceae) Deciduous shrub

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Rhamnus cathartica
Common buckthorn
Deciduous shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Rhamnus cathartica plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Rhamnaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Common buckthorn.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Rhamnus cathartica
Common Name:  Common buckthorn
Family:  Rhamnaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The fruit is purgative but not seriously poisonous[186]. Other parts of the plant may also be poisonous[10, 19, 76, 186].

Mature Height:  6   Mature Width:  3

Habitat:  Fen peat, scrub, hedges, ash and oak woods, on calcareous often dry soils[17].

General Uses: A green dye is obtained from the immature fruit[46, 57, 103, 115, 171]. Mixed with gum arabic and limewater, it makes a green pigment used in watercolour painting[238]. Yellow, orange and brownish dyes can also be obtained[100]. The colours are rich but fugitive[4]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[61, 100, 115]. It has been used to colour paper and maps[238]. Often grown as an informal hedge, it is also amenable to trimming[21, 186, 200]. Wood - hard, handsome with a marble-like grain. Used for small turnery[46, 61, 74].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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