Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica · Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Ovate to elliptic
Margin
Serrulate or finely crenate
Arrangement
Subopposite to alternate
Venation
Pinnate with distinct veins curving toward the apex
Key Features
Finely toothed ovate leaves with strongly curved veins and subopposite arrangement on twig tips.
Description
Large deciduous shrub or small tree forming a dense canopy with dark gray bark, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers, and clusters of small black spherical drupes.
Habitat
Disturbed woodlands, forest edges, and open fields, thriving in diverse soils and moisture levels.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, widely naturalized and invasive across North America.
Identified on 10/18/2026