Genus RHAMNUS, Lam. 
Rhamnaceae. Pentandria Monogynia. 
Syst. Nat. Si/st. Lin. 
Derivation. The name Rhamnus was derived from the Celtic word, ram, signifying a tuft of branches; which the Greeks 
Changed to rhamnos, the Romans to ramus, and the French to rame, or in old French, reim. 
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 
\u<s 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 yellow berries, graine dejaune, graine d 'Avignon, graine de 
Perse, graine d ] Espagne, graine 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 of 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. 
