Carolina Buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana)

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134 in stock

Description

Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

Family: Rhamnaceae

Height:10-15 feet

Spread: 10-15 feet

Native Range: Eastern and Central US, in Missouri primarily south of Missouri RIver and throughout the Ozarks

Site Requirements:

Soil: adaptable to wide variety of soils

Water:medium

Sunlight needs: full sun to part shade

Tolerates: wet soil

Landscape use: Hedge, small specimen tree

Brief Description:  Somewhat insignificant, creamy-green flowers in small axillary clusters bloom in spring (May-June). Flowers are followed by edible berry-like drupes (1/3″ across) which ripen to a very showy red before finally maturing in September-October to black.. This species was originally discovered in South Carolina, hence the specific epithet. Despite the common name, this species does not have thorns.

Wildlife Benefits: Birds are very attracted to the fruit.

Possible Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.

Stand out Features: Beautiful, glossy dark green leaves

Read more here.

Additional information

Common Name
Scientific Name
Native Range
Zone

5 to 9

Height

10.00 to 15.00 feet

Spread

10.00 to 15.00 feet

Bloom Time

May to June

Bloom Description
Sun

Full sun to part shade

Water

Medium

Maintenance

Low

Suggested Use

Hedge

Flower

Insignificant

Attracts

Birds

Fruit

Showy, Edible

Elijah Belz
Field Operations Coordinator

I am Elijah Belz, the Field Operations Coordinator for Forest ReLeaf. I am a certified arborist and the primary person in the field for Forest ReLeaf, maintaining roughly 1000 trees planted in the St. Louis City, and maintaining our equipment our equipment used to maintain our trees! This job is a catch-all position that carries different responsibilities during the different seasons. Fall and spring are our planting, tree delivery, and inventory season; winter is our pruning, mulching, and planning season; summer is our watering season where we lead a crew of interns getting into the green industry. 

My background is bicycle repair! I was in that industry for almost a decade, including running a bicycle repair shop, before taking a job with a tree planting organization in Atlanta. From there I moved to an edible landscape company. I became certified as an arborist while working at Forest ReLeaf this February! Trees rock, bikes are cool too.

Amy Moscowitz
Outreach Coordinator

Amy Moscowitz joined Forest ReLeaf in 2026 as Outreach Coordinator, bringing experience in community engagement, volunteer coordination, and outdoor education. She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that help people connect with nature and each other. She is excited to activate the City Tree Farm and engage the St. Louis community in hands-on environmental work.

Kate Pichon-Hellmann
Office Assistant

Kate joined Forest ReLeaf in November 2025 with a background in education, ministry, community organizing, and local government.  Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Kate’s love of nature began at an early age while building tree forts, foraging for blueberries, and exploring the Alaskan wilderness.  Kate has a B.A. from Loyola University Chicago, a M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology, and a M.S. in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning from Unity College.  Kate is passionate about environmental sustainability, native plants, and sustainable urban planning.  She brings her passion and skills to support the great work of the Forest ReLeaf team.

De'Nonna Jones

De’Nonna Jones graduated from Knox College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, driven by a commitment to environmental justice and community-based conservation. Since then, she has gained hands-on experience working across a range of green spaces throughout the St. Louis region, focusing on the care, restoration, and accessibility of urban natural areas. She began her journey at Tower Grove Park, where she developed a deep appreciation for public green spaces as vital community resources, before moving into a stewardship role with the Missouri Botanical Garden in partnership with Great Rivers Greenway. She now serves as the Stewardship Crew Coordinator at Forest ReLeaf. De’Nonna is passionate about creating inclusive pathways into environmental work and empowering tree lovers and emerging conservationists to see themselves as stewards of their communities. Through her work, she strives to strengthen connections between people, trees, and places in urban environments.

Jess Underwood
Finance & Operations Director

After 17 years in the non-profit and public sector, Jess remains committed to mission-driven work that tackles the challenges facing our communities. Their career began with a year of service as an Americorps St. Louis Emergency Response team member, responding to natural disasters and performing conservation projects. That foundation of service led to roles supporting the arts, affordable housing, mental health, and grassroots housing advocacy in St. Louis. During this journey Jess has worked to center the value “nothing about us, without us.” They do their best to ensure that the voices of people who have been marginalized guide the strategy and execution of work that honors their lived experiences. When they aren’t working, Jess is out paddling, hiking, working in their garden, or building something.