RHAMNACEJE. 



179 



1. Common Buckthorn. Rhamnus eatharticns, Linn. 

 (Fig. 221.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1629.) 



A glabrous shrub with spreading 

 branches, the smaller ones often ending 

 in a stout thorn. Leaves stalked, ovate, 

 acuminate or pointed, rarely obtuse, 1^ 

 to 2 inches long, bordered by very small 

 regular teeth, marked with a few promi- 

 nent veins, obliquely diverging from the 

 midrib, and mostly proceeding from be- 

 low the middle. Flowers dioecious, very 

 small, usually thickly clustered in the 

 axils of the leaves. Petals 4, very nar- 

 row, and not longer than the teeth of 

 the calyx. Fruit black, about the size 

 of a pea. 



In hedges and bushy places, extend- 

 ing over Europe, Eussian Asia, and 

 northern America, but not an Arctic species. Not abundant in England 

 or Ireland, and very rare in Scotland. Fl. spring or early summer. 



Fig. 221. 



2. Alder Buckthorn. Rhamnus Frangula, Linn. (Fig. 222.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 250, not good.) 



A more erect shrub than the common 

 R., not thorny, the leaves broader and 

 more obtuse, entire or slightly sinuate, 

 having sometimes a minute down on the 

 under side, and the lateral veins more 

 numerous, diverging equally from the 

 midrib almost the whole of its length. 

 Flowers 2 or 3 together in each axil, all 

 hermaphrodite ; the minute petals, the 

 teeth of the calyx, and the stamens, in 

 fives. Fruit dark-purple, the size of a 

 pea. 



In hedges and bushy places, through- 

 out Europe and Eussian Asia, except the 

 extreme north. In Britain rather more 

 frequent than the common R., but still 

 rare in Scotland. FL spring or early 

 summer. Fjg ^ 



p 2 



