Medium-sized shrub or small tree with shiny leaves and small four-petaled yellowish green flowers clustered along branches. Groups of little round fruits are black when mature in late summer and are eaten by birds.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Lanceleaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus lanceolata
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Glade, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr), Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds

Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators, Nesting

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
4 to
9
feet
Spread:
4 to
5
feet
Size
Height: 4 to
9
feet
Spread: 4 to
5
feet
Size
Height: 4 to
9
feet
Spread: 4 to
5
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Edges of woodland plantings and wildlife habitat gardens. Can be trimmed as a hedge; an alternative to exotics like privets.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Fresh seed can be planted if available, or plant stock grown in pots. New plants grow quickly.
Special Features
Ornamental Fruits / Seed Pods / Seed Heads
Special Usage
Fragrant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.