Texas Plant Information Database
Plant Information
Code: 106
Scientific Name: RHAMNUS CAROLINIANA
Common Name: CAROLINA BUCKTHORN
Erosion Index: GOOD
Erosion Index Value: 7.14
Wildlife Index: GOOD
Wildlife Index Value: 7.18
Ecological Distribution: PINEYWOODS, GULF PRAIRIES AND MARSHES, POST OAK SAVANNAH, BLACKLAND PRAIRIES, CROSS TIMBERS AND PRAIRIES, SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS, EDWARDS PLATEAU, ROLLING PLAINS
Topographic Tolerance: BOTTOMLAND
Elevation Tolerance: SEA LEVEL - 2000'
Slope Tolerance: TOLERANT OVER WIDE SLOPE RANGE
Aspect Tolerance: TOLERANT ACROSS RANGE
Light Tolerance: TOLERANT TO FULL SUN, TOLERANT TO SUN-SHADE MIX
Wetland Regional Indicator: FACULTATIVE UPLAND
Physical Form: SHRUB
Habit: DECIDUOUS
Life Cycle: PERENNIAL
Seed Age: 1 TO 4 YEARS OLD
Seed Interval: 1 TO 2 YEARS
Growth: SLOW GROWTH, SHORT-LIVED
Hardiness: FIRE INTOLERANT, INSECT TOLERANT
Vegetative Growth Period: FROST FREE PERIOD
Flowering Period: MAY, JUN
Fruiting Period: AUG, SEP, OCT
Soil Moisture: WELL-DRAINED ONLY
Soil Texture: TOLERANT TO LOAMY SOILS
Soil Fertility: HIGH SOIL FERTILITY
Parent Material: TOLERANT OVER WIDE RANGE
Soil pH: HIGHLY ACIDIC, SLIGHTLY ACIDIC, NEUTRAL
Optimum pH: SLIGHTLY ACIDIC
Soil Depth: WIDE RANGE OF SOIL DEPTHS
Salinity: OBLIGATE TO NON-SALINE (FRESH) SOIL/WATER CONDITIONS
Short-term Biomass: MEDIUM
Short-term Pest: LOW
Long-term Biomass: HIGH
Long-term Pest: LOW
Dominance Characteristics: COMPONENT
Honeybee Relations: PRODUCE HONEY
Parasite Host Potential: HIGH
Food for Wildlife/Livestock: SMALL MAMMALS, LARGE MAMMALS, UPLAND GAME BIRDS, NONGAME BIRDS
Small Mammal Food: GOOD
Large Mammal Food: EXCELLENT
Upland Game Birds Food: EXCELLENT
Waterfowl Food: UNKNOWN
Nongame Birds Food: EXCELLENT
Small Mammal Cover: GOOD
Large Mammal Cover: GOOD
Upland Game Birds Cover: EXCELLENT
Waterfowl Cover: UNKNOWN
Nongame Birds Cover: EXCELLENT
Toxicity Potential: UNKNOWN
Toxicity Season:
Effectiveness Period: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM
Raindrop Impact: MEDIUM
Erosion Hardiness: MEDIUM
Ease of Propagation: HIGH
Soil Binding: MEDIUM
Soil Enrichment Potential: UNKNOWN
Nitrogen Fixation Potential: LOW
Growth Inhibitor Production: UNKNOWN
Source Availability: COMMON LOCAL RETAIL NURSERY OR SEED OUTLET, SPECIALIZED COMMERCIAL OR WHOLESALE OUTLET
Seed Germination Ratio: UNKNOWN
Reproduction: SEEDS
Seed Dispersal Success Potential: BIRDS, MAMMALS, GRAVITY
Seed Establishment Success Potential: HIGH
Cuttings Establishment Success Potential: HIGH
Transplanting Establishment Success Potential: HIGH
Establishment Time Interval: 1 YEAR OR LESS
Recommended Establishment: SEEDS
Relative Expense: MODERATELY EXPENSIVE
Notes: - Tolerant of many diverse conditions of rainfall, soil, and temperature. - Fruits eaten by many species of birds and mammals.
Associated Species:
AMERICAN BEECH
AMERICAN SYCAMORE
BLACK-GUM
DOGWOOD SPP.
EASTERN REDCEDAR
HAWTHORN SPP.
SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA
SUMAC SPP.
References:
Hatch, S. L., K. N. Gandhi, and L. E. Brown. 1991. Checklist of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. MP-1655 College Station. 158 pp.
Nokes, J. 1986. How to grow native plants of Texas and the Southwest. Texas Monthly Press, Inc. Austin. 404 pp.
Pellett, F. C. 1976. American Honey Plants, 5th ed. Dadant and Sons, Hamilton, Ill.
Texas Department of Agriculture. 1988. Texas native tree and plant directory. Austin, Texas.
Vines, R. A. 1960. Trees, shrubs and woody vines of the southwest. Univ. of Texas Press, Austin. 1104 pp.