ExplorePlants

Cascara

Frangula purshiana

Cascara is a small tree or shrub that grows in forests. It has shiny leaves and produces small berries that are loved by birds. People also use its bark for medicine!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Cascara has thin, reddish-brown bark that often looks like cinnamon and smooth, oval leaves with prominent veins. Its tiny, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in clusters, later developing into small, dark purple-black berries.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRhamnaceaeGenusFrangula
Cascara
ornamental trait badgeshrub trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgeevergreen trait badge
Cascara

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Cascara bark must be aged for at least one year before it can be used safely!

Its name "Cascara Sagrada" means "sacred bark" in Spanish!

Many butterflies and moths visit Cascara's small flowers for a sweet sip of nectar.

The inner bark turns bright yellow when exposed to air, then darkens over time.

Special abilities

Ability

Healing Helper Bark

Cascara has special compounds in its bark that have been used for traditional medicine for centuries to help tummy troubles.

Ability

Bird Bait Berries

It grows small, dark berries that birds love to eat, helping the tree spread its seeds to new places.

Measurements & details

Height
400-1500 cm
Spread
200-800 cm
Flower Size
0.3-0.6 cm
Bloom Season
Late Spring - Early Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Cascara Buckthorn

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Do not eat any part of the plant without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Cascara?

400-1500 cm

How wide does Cascara spread?

200-800 cm

How big are the flowers on Cascara?

0.3-0.6 cm

When does Cascara bloom?

Late Spring - Early Summer

Is Cascara edible?

No

Is Cascara toxic?

Mild

What is Cascara's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Cascara pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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