Print Report

CEGL005461 Rhamnus cathartica Ruderal Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Buckthorn Ruderal Shrubland

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Buckthorn Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This non-native invasive shrubland is widespread throughout the northeastern and midwestern United States. It tends to form dense, often even-aged thickets, crowding and shading out native shrubs and herbs. In an open site, Rhamnus cathartica establishment is followed by lateral crown spread. This extension continues until branches touch adjacent shrubs. The large leaves and continuous canopy create dense shade. Even-aged thickets are common in both wetlands and in woodland understories. In fire-adapted ecosystems, the lack of vegetation under buckthorn prohibits fires.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Rhamnus cathartica is commonly known as common or European buckthorn, and is native to Europe. It appears to prefer lightly shaded conditions, and is often found in open oak woods and edges of woodlands. But here we describe it as a distinct type when found in open settings, where it forms the canopy layer. Wieseler (1999) states that "R. cathartica was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub, for fencerows, and wildlife habitat. Introduction of buckthorn was based on its hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of soil and light conditions." Converse (1985) states that "R. cathartica has been cultivated for hedges (Wyman 1971), forestry uses, and wildlife habitat. This species is also used in shelter-belt planting (Hubbard 1974). Naturalized habitats include pastures, fencerows, roadsides, and slopes of ravines."

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Rhamnus cathartica tends to form dense, often even-aged thickets, crowding and shading out native shrubs and herbs. In an open site, its establishment is followed by lateral crown spread. This extension continues until branches touch adjacent shrubs. The large leaves and continuous canopy create dense shade. Even-aged thickets are common in both wetlands and in woodland understories (Converse 1985). In fire-adapted ecosystems, the lack of vegetation under buckthorn prohibits fires.

Dynamics:  Fire is very effective in controlling Rhamnus cathartica and is a preferred method when the population is young. In wetlands water tables have been artificially lowered in order to attempt to control this species. Harrington et al. (1989, in Gale 2000) showed that Rhamnus cathartica leaves remain on the tree an average of 58 days longer than its native counterparts Cornus racemosa and Prunus serotina. Its leaves emerge earlier and senesce later. Consequently, photosynthesis under high light availability conditions is significantly greater for Rhamnus cathartica than for native shrub species. The litter of Rhamnus cathartica decomposes rapidly and promotes the rapid decomposition of litter in the forest floor adjacent to where it grows (Heneghan et al. 2002). Soils under Rhamnus cathartica have been shown to have modified nutrient cycling, with a higher percent of N and C, an impact that may persist after the plant has been physically removed (Heneghan et al. 2004).
Environmental Description:  Rhamnus cathartica is tolerant of many soil types, including well-drained sand, clay, poorly drained calcareous, neutral or alkaline, wet or dry.
Geographic Range: Rhamnus cathartica has spread extensively since being introduced in mid 1800s and its range extends in Canada from Nova Scotia in the northeast to Saskatchewan in the northwest, and south in the U.S. to northeastern Kansas, and eastward to North Carolina. The degree to which the plant community occurs throughout this range needs review.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NS, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC, RI, SD, SK, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D024 2.B.2.Nc
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nc.90 Orchardgrass - Canada Goldenrod - Multiflora Rose Eastern North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland M123 2.B.2.Nc.90
Group 2.B.2.Nc.90.a Tall goldenrod - Kentucky Bluegrass - Stiff Dogwood Ruderal Meadow & Shrubland Group G059 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Alliance A3935 Common Buckthorn - Multiflora Rose - Autumn-olive Ruderal Mesic Shrubland Alliance A3935 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Association CEGL005461 Common Buckthorn Ruderal Shrubland CEGL005461 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): J. Drake

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-26-14
  • Archibold, O. W., D. Brooks, and L. Delanoy. 1997. An investigation of the invasive shrub European buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica L., near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Canadian Field Naturalist 111(4):617-621.
  • Converse, C. 1985. Rhamnus cathartica. Element Stewardship Abstract prepared for The Nature Conservancy.
  • Gale, S. W. 2000. Control of the invasive exotic Rhamnus cathartica in temperate North American forests. Restoration and Reclamation Review 6:1-13.
  • Heneghan, L., C. Clay, and C. Brundage. 2002. Observations on the initial decomposition rates and faunal colonization of native and exotic plant species in a urban forest fragment. Ecological Restoration 20(2):108-111.
  • Heneghan, L., C. Rauschenberg, F. Fatemi, and M. Workman. 2004. European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and its effect on some ecosystem properties in an urban woodland. Ecological Restoration 22(4):275-280.
  • Heneghan, L., F. Fatemi, L. Umek, K. Grady, K. Fagen, and M. Workman. 2006. The invasive shrub European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica, L.) alters soil properties in Midwestern U.S. woodlands. Applied Soil Ecology 32:142-148.
  • Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.