Buckthorns
Botanical name: Rhamnus
Buckthorns
Botanical name: Rhamnus
Description
this plant is similar to common buckthorn, but the stems are more stout and the leaves are longer. In its native range it may be up to 10 meters tall. It may also reach up to 9 meters in cultivation. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 13 cm long by 6 wide in its native range, and usually smaller where it is introduced. 
Species of Buckthorns
Cane buckthorn
A thorny understory shrub or small tree native to high-altitude temperate to subtropical forests, cane buckthorn is deciduous and broad-leaved, with small greenish flowers. It is harvested from the wild and used as a source of fuel.
Rhamnus yoshinoi
This plant is similar to common buckthorn, but the stems are more stout and the leaves are longer. In its native range it may be up to 10 meters tall. It may also reach up to 9 meters in cultivation. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 13 cm long by 6 wide in its native range, and usually smaller where it is introduced.
Rhamnus parvifolia
This plant is similar to common buckthorn, but the stems are more stout and the leaves are longer. In its native range it may be up to 10 meters tall. It may also reach up to 9 meters in cultivation. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 13 cm long by 6 wide in its native range, and usually smaller where it is introduced.
Rhamnus ussuriensis
This plant is similar to common buckthorn, but the stems are more stout and the leaves are longer. In its native range it may be up to 10 meters tall. It may also reach up to 9 meters in cultivation. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 13 cm long by 6 wide in its native range, and usually smaller where it is introduced.
Common buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica, colloquially known as common buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe. This plant is hazardous to humans and most animals; all parts of it are mildly poisonous. The fast-growing common buckthorn is considered an invasive species in certain parts of North America.
Rhamnus formosana
This plant is similar to common buckthorn, but the stems are more stout and the leaves are longer. In its native range it may be up to 10 meters tall. It may also reach up to 9 meters in cultivation. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 13 cm long by 6 wide in its native range, and usually smaller where it is introduced.
Italian buckthorn
Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) is an evergreen shrub that will grow from 3.5 to 5 m tall. It blooms in spring with greenish-yellow flowers. Red fruit appears after blooming and ripens to purple in fall. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. Tolerant of wind, heat and drought, it is the perfect specimen for creating a windbreak when planted in groups.
Dogwood
Rhamnus prinoides occur from Eritrea to South Africa at medium to high altitudes. They grow near streams or along forest margins. The small edible fruits are shiny red and berry-like.
European buckthorn
European buckthorn (Rhamnus lycioides) is extremely hardy, thriving even in gritty and eroded soils. Grazing animals avoid its thorns, making the berries an invaluable resource for smaller birds in deserts and dry forest areas. European buckthorn fruit is also used to create a yellow dye.
Japanese buckthorn
This plant is similar to common buckthorn, but the stems are more stout and the leaves are longer. In its native range it may be up to 10 meters tall. It may also reach up to 9 meters in cultivation. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 13 cm long by 6 wide in its native range, and usually smaller where it is introduced.
Scientific Classification
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