Mediterranean Buckthorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mediterranean Buckthorn
• Italian Buckthorn
• blow-fly-bush
• Evergreen buckthorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Rhamnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a notable presence across several regions in Northern and Southwestern Europe. In the northern reaches of its range, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the southwest, the species is well-established within the territory of France. Its distribution further extends to Mediterranean islands, specifically appearing in Corsica. Additionally, the plant is documented inhabiting the Balearic Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhamnus alaternus is characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives across a specific altitudinal gradient. This species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 50 m AMSL to a maximum of 900 m AMSL. By occupying these lower-to-mid altitude zones, the plant adapts to the distinct climatic and soil conditions inherent to lowland habitats, establishing itself within these specific ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Rhamnus alaternus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. In terms of its foliage, it is classified as an evergreen, ensuring that it retains its leaves throughout the year to support continuous physiological processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhamnus alaternus is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This terrestrial species is independent in its nutritional requirements and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing habits of a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 6 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhamnus alaternus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying light conditions. Its vegetative structure features an alternate leaf arrangement, with individual leaves exhibiting an elliptic form. The morphological dimensions of the foliage vary significantly, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows considerable plasticity, measuring a minimum of 1 cm, a mean of 2 cm, and reaching a maximum of 4 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the soil's available nitrogen for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhamnus alaternus is characterized by a sexual process through a dioecious breeding system, with no recorded asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes within the same month, featuring flowers that are green in color. The plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruit classified as a berry, which turns black upon maturity. These fruits are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.595 cm, a mean width of 0.5 cm (ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 cm), and are characterized by their fleshy texture. The seeds contained within the fruit have a consistent volume of 14 mm³, with a mean mass of approximately 0.051145 g (ranging up to a maximum of 0.09029 g). Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous strategy, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fruit and disperse the seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.595 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.09029 g

Seed mass mean:

0.051145 g

Seed volume max:

14 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rhamnus alaternus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Rhamnus alaternus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include emodin, kaempferol.

emodin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

kaempferol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Rhamnus alaternus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes.

High blood pressure

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Type 2 diabetes

1. Case reports in emergency medicine

Preparations

Rhamnus alaternus has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts, leaves.

Aerial parts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaves

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)