BUCKTHORN. 275 



Bncktliorn Family. 



Genus RHAMNUS. 



We have no native species of importance in this genus. 

 E. catharticus. a foreign species, is so valuable as an orna- 

 mental shrub that it is here described. 



Rhamnus catharticus. Buckthorn. English Buck- 

 thorn. 



Leaves ovate, minutely serrate, opposite or nearly so. 

 Flowers usually dioecious, small, greenish. Fruit a 3 to 4 

 seeded black berry hanging on the branches all winter. A 

 shrub or small tree with thorny branchlets. 



Distribution. Throughout northern Europe where it is 

 native. 



Propagation. By seeds, which should be gathered in 

 autumn, kept stratified over winter and planted in the spring 

 or by layers. If the fruit is allowed to hang on the bushes 

 until spring in this section many of the seeds may be injured. 



Uses. The Buckthorn is used largely for hedges, for 

 which purpose it is one of the hardiest, thriftiest and cleanest 

 plants that can be used in this section. It bears pruning well 

 and hedges of it can be made very ornamental. As single 

 specimens it is desirable for park planting and for screens. 

 The seeds and innerbark possess medicinal qualities. 



