62 Buckthorn ( Rhamnacece) 



Fig. 17. Alder-Leaved Buckthorn. R. alnifolia, L'Her. 



Flowers, greenish, small, in clusters at the sides of the 

 branches ; the staminate and the pistillate forms 

 usually found on different bushes. Petals, wanting. 

 Sepals, five. Stamens, five. Seed-case, two- to four- 

 celled, free from the calyx. June. 



Leaves, one to three inches long, about one half as wide. 



Fruit, about as large as a currant, somewhat pear-shape, 

 black and fleshy. Seeds, three, deeply grooved along 

 the back ; a berry-like drupe. 



Found, in rough fields and swamps from Maine to Penn- 

 sylvania and Nebraska, and northward ; common. 



A shrub two to four feet high, without thorns. 



Common Buckthorn. {R. cathdrtica, Z.] 

 This species is a native of Europe. It is cultivated 

 widely in the form of thorny hedges, and is occasionally 

 found growing wild in the Eastern States. The leaves 

 are egg-shape ; the fruit three- to four-seeded. 



As far back as the 1 3th century it was noticed for its 

 medicinal qualities. During the i6th century all medical 

 writers commented on it. It is now fallen into disuse, its 

 cathartic effect being considered too violent. 



Carolina Buckthorn. R. Caroliniana, Walt. 



Flowers, greenish, small, perfect ; in one form in clusters, 

 in another solitary, with short stem. Petals, five. 

 Sepals, five. Seed-case, free. June. 



Leaves, two to five inches long, obscurely toothed, strongly 

 veined. 



Fruit, black, fleshy, berry-like. Seeds, three, not fur- 

 rowed ; a berry-like drupe. 



