Buckthorn-Fact Sheet

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Common buckthorn (also known as European buckthorn) is a small

shrub or tree native to Eurasia. It was introduced to North America
in the 1880s as an ornamental shrub and was widely planted for
fencerows and windbreaks in agricultural fields. Since then it has
spread aggressively throughout southern Ontario and in other
provinces.
Common buckthorn can thrive Range

in a wide range of soil and light
conditions, enabling it to invade a Outside its native range, common
variety of habitats. It is most often buckthorn is found in Canada as far west as
found in woodlands and open fields, Saskatchewan and as far east as Nova Scotia.
where it forms dense stands under It also grows throughout the northeastern
which few other plants can grow. and north central United States.
Buckthorn can spread widely with the
help of birds and animals that eat its
fruit, carry the seeds long distances Impacts of Common Buckthorn
and deposit them in their droppings. • Buckthorn thrives in a variety of habitats
Stands of buckthorn can invade and forms dense thickets that crowd
roadsides, riverbanks, mature forests, and shade out native plants. It can
farm fields and hydro corridors. alter nitrogen levels in the soil, creating
better conditions for its own growth
and discouraging the growth of native
species.
• It produces large numbers of seeds
that germinate quickly and prevent Common buckthorn, showing typical deep
the natural growth of native trees and green foliage in fall, dominates the lower
shrubs. layers of forests. Photo: Wasyl Bakowsky, MNR
• The shrub can host oat rust, a fungus
that causes leaf and crown rust and
affects the yield and quality of oats. Because it can affect agricultural
• The soybean aphid, an insect that crops, common buckthorn is listed
Common buckthorn leaves and flowers. damages soybean crops, can use as a noxious weed under Ontario’s
Photo: Credit Valley Conservation Area
buckthorn as a host plant to survive Weed Control Act.
the winter.
ontario.ca/invasivespecies
COMMON BUCKTHORN | 2
How to Identify Common Buckthorn
• Buckthorn is usually the first shrub centimetres long, and arranged in Common buckthorn resembles another
to leaf out in the spring and the opposing pairs along the stem. invasive species, glossy buckthorn
last to drop its leaves late in the • Most branches older than one year (Frangula alnus), and a much smaller
fall. end in a short, sharp thorn. native shrub, alder-leafed buckthorn
• It often grows two to three metres • Flowers have two to six small (Rhamnus alnifolia).
tall. Occasionally it reaches six yellowish-to-green petals.
Check the chart below to identify
metres, with a trunk up to • Common buckthorn produces
common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn
25 centimetres in diameter. clusters of berry-like black fruit in
and alder-leaved buckthorn.
• Smooth, dark green leaves late summer and fall.
are finely toothed, 2.5 to six
Illustration by Andrea Kingsley Illustration by Andrea Kingsley Illustration by Andrea Kingsley
Common buckthorn Glossy buckthorn Alder-leaved buckthorn

(Rhamnus cathartica) (invasive) (Frangula alnus) (invasive) (Rhamnus alnifolia) (native)
• Grows in drier areas • Grows in wet areas • Grows in very wet areas
• Often two to three metres tall; • Often two to three metres tall; • Up to one metre tall
can reach six metres can reach six metres • No sharp thorn on end of twig
• Twigs end in sharp thorn • No sharp thorn on end of twig • Alternate, shiny leaves with toothed edges
• Usually opposite leaves with finely • Alternate, shiny leaves with smooth, wavy • Small growths (stipules) at base of leaves
toothed edges edges
What You Can Do Other Resources:
• Learn how to identify common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn and other invasive www.invasivespeciescentre.ca
plants, and how to effectively manage these species on your property. See ontario.ca/invasivespecies
The Landowner’s Guide to Controlling Invasive Woodland Plants. Go to www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca
ontario.ca/invasivespecies, click on Here’s a list of things you can do to help www.invadingspecies.com
fight invasive species, and click on the title.
• Avoid using invasive plants in gardens and landscaping. For More Information:
• Buy native or non-invasive plants from reputable garden suppliers. Native
plants provide habitat and food sources for native wildlife. See Grow Me Please contact the Invading Species
Instead: Beautiful Non-Invasive Plants for Your Garden. Go to Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.
ontario.ca/invasivespecies, click on Here’s a list of things you can do to help
This fact sheet may
fight invasive species, and click on the title.
Photo: Greg Bales, MNR
be reproduced for
• Dispose of invasive plants in the garbage. Do not put them in the compost or non-commercial
discard them in natural areas. Discarded flowers may produce seeds. purposes.
• When hiking, prevent the spread of invasive plants by staying on trails and © Queen’s Printer for
keeping pets on a leash. Ontario, 2012
• If you’ve seen common buckthorn or other invasive species in the wild, please Cette publication est
également disponible
contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or visit Common buckthorn
en français.
www.invadingspecies.com to report a sighting. ripe fruit cluster.

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Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Common buckthorn (also known as European buckthorn) is a small

Common buckthorn can thrive Range

How to Identify Common Buckthorn

Illustration by Andrea Kingsley Illustration by Andrea Kingsley Illustration by Andrea Kingsley

Common buckthorn Glossy buckthorn Alder-leaved buckthorn

What You Can Do Other Resources:

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