Genus RHAMNUS, Lam. 



Rhamnaceae. Pentandria Mono^nia. 



Syst. Nat. Si/st. Lin. 



Derivation. The name Rhamnus was derived from the Celtic word, ram, signifying a lufl of branches; which the Greeks 

 clianged to Thamnos, the Romans to ramus, and the French to rame, or in old French, retm. 



Generic Characters. Calyx urceolate, 4 5-cleft. Petals 4 5, emarginate or 2-lobed, usually more or 

 less convolute. Torus thin, lining the tube of the calyx. Ovary free from the calyx, not immersed in 

 the torus, 2 4-celled ; styles 2 4, distinct or more or less connected. Fruit drupaceous, containing 

 2 4 cartilaginous nuts. ***** Leaves alternate or rarely opposite, on short petioles. Flow- 

 ers minute, usually in short, axillary clusters. Torrey and Gray, Flora. 



^HIS genus is composed of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, one or 

 more of them with the habit of low trees, and some of them sub- 

 procumbent, or procumbent; and all of them, except the latter, are 

 distinguished by an upright, stiff mode of growth, with numerous 

 strong thorns in their wild state. Many of those described by 

 botanical writers as species, are doubtless, only varieties ; but till 

 the whole are brought together and cultivated *in one garden, this cannot be 

 determined. The flowers in all are inconspicuous ; but the Rhamnus alaternus 

 and its varieties are most valuable evergreen shrubs, and several of the other 

 species are ornamental, both from their foliage and their fruit, the latter of 

 which is also useful in dyeing. The article of commerce, known under the 

 names of French or yelloio berries, graine dejau7ie, graine d^Avig7ion, graine de 

 Perse, graine d' Espag7ie, g?'ai?ie du Levant^ &c., are produced by the Rhamnus 

 infectorius, oleoides, amygdalinus, and saxatilis. The Rhamnus frangula, 

 known in France by the name of bourdaine, is preferred to all other kinds of 

 wood for making charcoal employed in the manufacture of gunpowder. The 

 leaves of the Rhamnus theezans are substituted in China for those of tea. The 

 fruit of the Rhamnus ziziphus is employed throughout the southern or temperate 

 parts of Europe, in the manufacture oi jujubes. The species procurable in nur- 

 series, and well deserving of cultivation, are the Rhamnus alaternus, hybridus, 

 alpinus, frangula, saxatilis, latifolius, and catharticus, the latter of which, from 

 its medicinal qualities, and utility for live fences, is worthy of particular consid- 

 eration. 



