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. ,� � � ,�� �� <br /> ���. �"�� <br /> .� ,.�. <br /> � �� �,,.�;. <br /> � <br /> $����z��r� <br /> � Rhamnus cathartica L. <br /> �-�,�` �, ��' � DESCRlPTlON: Common buckthorn is a <br /> � ��* �` shrub or small tree in the buckthorn family <br /> t� Rhamnaceae that can row to 22 feet in <br /> ( ) 9 <br /> height with a 10-inch wide trunk. The crown <br /> shape of mature piants is spreading and irregular. The grey ta brown bark is rough <br /> textured when mature and may be confused with that of pium trees. The inner bark is <br /> yellow and the heartwood is pink to orange. Twigs are often tipped with a spine. ln <br /> spring, dense clusters of 2 to 6, yellow�reen, 4�etaled flowers emerge from stems <br /> near the bases of leaf stalks. Small black frui�s about 1/4 inch in cross-section and <br /> containing 3� seeds, fiorm in the fall. Leaves are broadly oval, rounded or �� ;� <br /> pointed at the tip,with 3-4 pairs of up curved veins, and have jagged, •��-s•' <br /> ..- -�, <br /> toothed margins. Leaves appear dark, glossy green on the upper surtace `"��`; � <br /> and stay green late ir�to fall, after most other deciduous leaves have fallen. %�, ,�� <br /> ECOLOGICAL THREAT: Exotic buckthoms tend to form dense, even,aged thidce#s, <br /> crowding and shading ou# native shrubs and herbs, often completely eradicating them. <br /> Dense buckthom seedlings prevent native tree and shrub regeneratian. fn fre-adapted <br /> ecosystems such as savannas and prairies, the lack of vegetation under buckthom <br /> prohib'rts fires. Buckthom contro! is alsa of interest to small grain producers;the shrub is <br /> an altemate host o#the crown rust of aats, which affects aat yield and quality. <br /> ��_ DISTRIBUTIQN IN THE UNITED STATES: Common buckthorn <br /> �1`� � � has become naturafized from Nova Scoaa to Saskatchewan, south <br /> to Missouri, and east to New England. <br /> ���'����` HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATE3: Cornmon buckthorn prefers <br /> � �. r lightly shaded conditions. An invader mainly of open oak woods, <br /> '� "D° � deadfall openings in woodlands, and woods edges, it may also be <br /> found in prairies and open fields. It is tolerant of many soil types, well drained sand, <br /> clay, poorly drained calcareous, neutral or aikaline, wet or dry. <br /> CURRENT MANAGEMENT APPROACHES:This plant is listed as an invasive and <br /> noxious weed by the U. S. federal govemment. Mechanical, physicai and chemicai <br /> methods are used to control common buckthom and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus <br /> frangula}, also an invasive exotic plant. Prescribed fire is another methad proposed #or <br /> controlling buckthom seedlings in fire-adapted natural areas. Careful application of <br /> herbicides such as, triciopyr herbicide effectively controls common buckthorn. <br /> References: httu:/! tants.usda.aov/ htt�://www.nns.�ov/plants/alieN <br />