Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A. Gray. Common name: Carolina Buckthorn, Indian-cherry, Yellow-wood, Polecat-tree. Phenology: May-Jun. Habitat: Dry to moist barrens, woodlands, and forests, Coastal Plain limestone bluffs and shell middens, especially over mafic or calcareous rocks. Distribution: Sw. VA west to s. OH and s. MO, south to c. peninsular FL and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, FNA12, K1, K3, K4, NcTx, Va; = Rhamnus caroliniana Walter – RAB, S, S13, Tn, Tx, W, WH3; > Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A.Gray var. caroliniana – Il; > Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A.Gray var. mollis (Fernald) Mohlenbr., – Il; > Rhamnus caroliniana Walter var. caroliniana – C, F, G, Brizicky (1964a); > Rhamnus caroliniana Walter var. mollis Fernald – C, F, G, Brizicky (1964a)
Links to other floras: = Frangula caroliniana - FNA12
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 10-15 feet (30 feet)
plant sale text: The Carolina false buckthorn is a handsome understory shrub or small tree native primarily to basic soils. This species is attractive in part shade, where it develops an airy, tiered appearance. It has dark green leaves and small round 3-seeded fleshy fruit, turn red and then ripen to black, adding to the attractiveness of this species. Attractive to birds and supports up to 11 lepidoptera species. It is a larval host for the Snout butterfly.
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native range: southeastern United States