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<br /> � ��a.�,' ,: Rhamnus cathartica L.
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<br /> ����'- - � _�. r DE3CRIPTION: Common buckthom is a
<br /> T ' � ' �'�- ��� shrub or small tree in the buckth�rn family
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<br /> {Rhamnaceae)that can grow to 22 feet in
<br /> height with a 10-i rxh wide trunic. The crown
<br /> shape of mature plants is spreading and imegular. The grey to brown bark is rough
<br /> textured when mature and may be confused with that of plum trees. The inner baric is
<br /> yellow and the heartwood is pink to orange, Twigs are often tipped with a spine. In
<br /> spring, dense clusters of 2 to fi, yeliow-green, 4-petaled#lowers emerge from stems
<br /> near the bases of leaf stalks. Small bladc fiuits about 9/4 inch in cross-section and
<br /> containing 3-4 seeds, fnrm in the falt. Leaves are broadly oval, rounded or �.-- �;
<br /> painted at the tip, with 3� pairs of up curved veins, and have jagged, � -�:,=-;
<br /> toothed margins. Leaves appear dark, glossy green on the upper surtace ��:'�',;; �
<br /> and stay green late into fall, after most other deciduous leaves have fallen. `=ti,, , �;,
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<br /> ECQLOGICAL THREAT: Exotic buckU�oms tend to form dense, even-aged thickets,
<br /> crowding and shading out native shrubs and hertis, often completely eradicating them.
<br /> Dense budcthom seedfings prevent native tree and shrub regenerat�on. !n fire,adapted
<br /> ecosystems such as savannas and prafries, the lack of vegetation under buc�Cthorri
<br /> prohibits fires. Buckthom oontrol is also of interest to small grain producers; #he shrub is
<br /> an aftemate host of the crown rust of oats, which affe�ts oat yield and quality.
<br /> ,? �. DISTRIBUTI4N IN THE UNITED STATES: Common bucl�hom
<br /> F � �rt '' �� '''` has become naturalized from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, south
<br /> ���' to Missouri, and east ta New England.
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<br /> �' ' '' HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES: Common bucicthom prefers
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<br /> �-�+— �,`�`� ' ��,. Jightly shaded conditfons. An invader mainly of open oak woods,
<br /> ""' � deadfialf openings in woodlands, and woods e�ges, it may aiso be
<br /> found in prairies and open fietds. It is tolerant of many soil types, well drained sand,
<br /> clsy, poorly drained calcareous, neutral or alkaline, wet or dry.
<br /> CURRENT MANAGEMENT APPROACHES:This pl�nt is listed as an invasive and
<br /> no�ous weed by the U. S. federal govemrnent. Mechanical, physical and chemical
<br /> methads are used to control common bucicthorn and glossy bucktham (Rhamnus
<br /> frangu/a), also an invasive exotic plant. Prescribed fire is another method proposed inr
<br /> controlling buckthom seedlings in frre adapted natural areas.Careful application of
<br /> herbicides such as, iriGopyr herbicide effer�vely conVols comman budcthom.
<br /> References:http://�lants.usda_s�av/ ht3t�:!/www.nas.aov/olants/alier�/
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