Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Rhamnus cathartica

Rhamnus cathartica (common buckthorn) Common buckthorn or European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is native to much of Europe, western Asia and northern Africa.J.S.Kurylo, K.S.Knight, J.R.Stewart, A.G.Endress (2007). "Rhamnus cathartica: native and naturalized distribution and habitat preferences." Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 134(3): 420-430. It’s a small tree or large shrub that was introduced to North America by early settlers for medicinal purposesJessica S. Kurylo, & Anton G. Endress (2012). Rhamnus cathartica : Notes on Its Early History in North America. Northeastern Naturalist. 19. 601-640. 10.2307/41810145 and later for use as an ornamental hedge plant and had escaped cultivation as early as 1800.Richard N. Mack (2003). "Plant naturalizations and invasions in the eastern United States: 1634-1860." Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 90(1): 77-90.CABI (2021) Rhamnus cathartica (buckthorn). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/isc. Ecological impact Buckthorns displace native plants and alter soil nutrients. Buckthorn prefers forest edges, meadows, and disturbed areas. It fixes nitrogen and can create dense thickets shading out native vegetation. Description Buckthorn forms small trees up to 25 feet tall. Buckthorns are usually dioecious and bloom in the spring. These flowers ripen into black fruit from August to September. These fruits can persist into winter. Fruits are eaten by birds, mice, and deer. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for 2-6 years. Young buckthorn can mature in 5-6 years."Common Buckthorn." New York Invasive Species Information 2021"Common Buckthorn." Western New York PRISM 2021 Observations of Rhamnus cathartica at the SCA 54811 Rhamnus cathartica