Buckthorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European buckthorn
• purging buckthorn
• Buckthorn
• Common Buckthorn
• European waythorn
• Hart's thorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cervispina cathartica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Rhamnaceae and the genus Rhamnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. The species is also documented to inhabit the landscapes of Norway. Together, these locations define its primary geographical range in Northern Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhamnus cathartica is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse terrestrial environments, allowing it to flourish in habitats ranging from dense forests and rolling hills to open meadows and steppes. It is frequently found in moisture-rich settings such as areas near lakes and rivers, as well as within shrubberies. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1700 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1300 m AMSL. This wide vertical gradient, starting from 0 m AMSL, enables the plant to occupy various ecological niches across different topographical landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, hills, lakes, meadows, rivers, shrubberies, steppe

Life history

The life history of Rhamnus cathartica is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures above the ground level. Its physiological cycle is defined by a deciduous habit, meaning it sheds its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhamnus cathartica is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of structural support, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine. Its vertical development is significant, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 8 meters, resulting in an average height of approximately 5.33 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

5.3335 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhamnus cathartica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, typical of many temperate woody species, and it functions as a non-carnivorous organism. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its metabolic processes, exhibiting a mean leaf length of 4.75 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 6.5 cm) and a mean leaf width of 2.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 3 cm). These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 6.951 cm², facilitating efficient light interception. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 167.06 cm²/g, a physiological trait that reflects the balance between its leaf thickness and its capacity for carbon assimilation and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

6.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.75 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

6.951 cm²

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.25 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

167.06 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhamnus cathartica is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in June. The plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, noting that self-fertilization is absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits categorized as berries. These fruits have an average length of 0.63 cm and an average width of 0.74 cm. Seed dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fruit and disperse the seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0267 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0117 g to a maximum of 0.07587 g. Additionally, the seed volume is consistent, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 70 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.63 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

0.74 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.07587 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0267202733333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0117 g

Seed volume max:

70 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhamnus cathartica has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include emodin, Alaternin, CHRYSOPHANIC ACID, Catharticin, Chelidonic acid.

emodin

1. Parasitology
2. Iranian journal of parasitology

Alaternin

1. Dr. Duke

CHRYSOPHANIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Catharticin

1. Dr. Duke

Chelidonic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Emodin-8-o-beta-gentiobioside

1. Dr. Duke

Frangulin A

1. Dr. Duke

Frangulin B

1. Dr. Duke

Physcion

1. Dr. Duke

Rhamnetin 3-rhamnoside

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Rhamnus cathartica has 134 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker, AntiAGE.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke

AntiRaynaud's

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Rhamnus cathartica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Giardia lamblia, Parasitemia, Plasmodium berghei, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations