Mediterranean buckthorn
ExplorePlants
Mediterranean buckthorn
Rhamnus alaternus
Mediterranean buckthorn is a lovely shrub that grows in warm places. It has shiny green leaves and small, black berries that birds love to eat!
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Mediterranean buckthorn is an evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves that are often toothed at the edges. Its reddish young stems contrast with the older gray bark. Tiny, greenish-yellow flowers develop into small berries that ripen from red to black.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRhamnaceaeGenusRhamnus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people used parts of this tough plant for traditional medicines and dyes.
Its berries change color from red to shiny black as they ripen, looking like tiny jewels!
Its wood is very hard, making it useful for crafting small tools and decorative items.
This resilient shrub can live for over a hundred years in the wild!
Special abilities
Ability
Tough Roots
Mediterranean buckthorn has a deep root system that helps it find water and survive long, dry summers in arid climates.
Ability
Winter Green
Mediterranean buckthorn keeps its leathery, dark green leaves all year, allowing it to photosynthesize even during mild winters.
Ability
Pioneer Power
Mediterranean buckthorn can quickly grow in disturbed areas, helping to stabilize soil and create new habitats for other plants.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-500 cm
- Spread
- 100-400 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late winter to early spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Blackbird
Turdus merula
Eats the ripe, dark berries.
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its small, greenish flowers for nectar.
shelters
Sardinian warbler
Sylvia melanocephala
Uses its dense, evergreen foliage for nesting.
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not eat the berries without asking an adult, as some plants can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Mediterranean buckthorn?
100-500 cm
How wide does Mediterranean buckthorn spread?
100-400 cm
How big are the flowers on Mediterranean buckthorn?
0.2-0.3 cm
When does Mediterranean buckthorn bloom?
Late winter to early spring
Is Mediterranean buckthorn edible?
No
Is Mediterranean buckthorn toxic?
Mild
What is Mediterranean buckthorn's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Mediterranean buckthorn pollinated?
Insect
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