Frangula caroliniana, commonly called the Carolina buckthorn, is a deciduous upright shrub or small tree native to the southeastern, south-central, and mid-western parts of the United States, from Texas east to Florida and north as far as Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, and Oklahoma.[1] There is also an isolated population in the State of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico.[2] It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including barrens, forests, and limestone bluffs.[3]
Frangula caroliniana is usually around 12to high, but capable of reaching 40abbr=offNaNabbr=off in a shaded location.[4] The most striking characteristic of this plant are its shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers are very small and inconspicuous, pale yellow-green, bell-shaped, appearing in leaf axils in late spring after the leaves. The fruit is a small (1/3 inch or 8.3 mm) round drupe; at first red, but later turning black with juicy flesh. It ripens in late summer.[5]
Despite its common name, the Carolina buckthorn is completely thornless.
Wildlife such as songbirds eat the fruits, which are reported to have medicinal uses.[6]
