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Common Buckthorn

Rhamnus cathartica

Found in disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
18–30 feet
Spread
15–20 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • American Plum
    Prunus americana

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Mountain Maple
    Acer spicatum

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Yellow, green, pink or red.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Striped Maple
    Acer pensylvanicum

    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
April to June

Recorded in 5 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 109 animals.

All wildlife of Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

18CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Rhamnus

  • Antheraea polyphemusPolyphemus Moth
  • Argyrotaenia quercifolianaYellow-Winged Oak Leafroller Moth, Lined Oak Leafroller
  • Choristoneura rosaceanaOblique-Banded Leafroller Moth, Rosaceous Leaf Roller
  • Eulia ministranaFerruginous Eulia
  • Eupithecia miserulataCommon Eupithacia, Common Pug
  • Eupithecia misturataInsignificant Pug
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Iridopsis defectariaBrown-Shaded Gray, Willow Looper
  • Lacanobia subjunctaSpeckled Arches, Subdues Arches, Harnessed Mamestra, Speckled Cutworm Moth, Grand Arches?(incorrectly)
  • Melanolophia canadariaCanadian Melanolphia, Variable Redmarked Looper
Show all 18
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Palthis angulalisDark-Spotted Palthis
  • Papilio glaucusEastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Rhopobota naevanaBlackheaded Fireworm, Holly Bud Moth, Holly Tortrix
  • Spilosoma virginicaVirginian Tiger Moth, Yellow Woolybear Moth, Yellow Bear
  • Syndemis afflictanaFall Dead-Leaf Roller, Gray Leafroller, Black-and-Grey Banded Leafroller
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
  • Triphosa haesitataTissue Moth, Brown Tissue
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
12BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Rhamnus

  • Aphelocoma californicaCalifornia Scrub-Jay
  • Campylorhynchus brunneicapillusCactus Wren
  • Catharus guttatusHermit Thrush
  • Catharus ustulatusSwainson's Thrush
  • Ixoreus naeviusVaried Thrush
  • Meleagris gallopavoWild Turkey
  • Patagioenas fasciataBand-tailed Pigeon
  • Sphyrapicus ruberRed-breasted Sapsucker
  • Toxostoma redivivumCalifornia Thrasher
  • Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin
Show all 12
  • Tyrannus tyrannusEastern Kingbird
  • Zenaida asiaticaWhite-winged Dove
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Rhamnaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–7b
Soil pH
Neutral to alkaline
Flower color
Yellow or green

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

European Buckthorn

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources