ndian Cherry {Rhamnus caroliniana} Deciduous Tree | Edible | Medicinal | Privacy Hedge | 10 seeds 

 

 

Medicinal use of Indian Cherry: A tea made from the bark is emetic and strongly laxative. 

It is used in the treatment of constipation with nervous or muscular atony of the intestines. 

An infusion of the wood has been used in the treatment of jaundice.

 

Common Name: Indian Cherry

Type: Deciduous shrub

Family: Rhamnaceae

Native Range: New York to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas

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: Creamy green

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Hedge

Flower: Insignificant

Attracts: Birds

Fruit: Showy, Edible

Garden locations

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. 

Prefers alkaline soils (add lime to acidic soils). Prefers consistent moisture. Adapts 

to a variety of soils and environments.

 

Noteworthy Characteristics

Rhamnus caroliniana, commonly called Carolina buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small 

tree that typically grows to 10-15' (infrequently to 30') tall. It is noted for its bright 

shiny green leaves and edible fruits. It is native from New York to Nebraska south to Mexico 

and Florida. In Missouri, it is typically found along woodland streams, open wooded hillsides, 

upland ridges, thickets and glades primarily in limestone areas south of the Missouri River and 

throughout the Ozarks (Steyermark). Elliptic to oblong, glossy dark green leaves (to 2-6" long) 

have 8-10 pairs of prominent veins and finely toothed to untoothed margins. Leaves retain green 

color long into fall before eventually turning an unexciting yellow-green. 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. Birds are very attracted to the fruit. This species was originally 

discovered in South Carolina, hence the specific epithet. Notwithstanding the common name, this 

species does not have thorns or spines.

 

Some authorities call this species Frangula caroliniana.

 

Genus name comes from the Greek name of various spiny shrubs.

 

Specific epithet means of North Carolina or South Carolina.

 

Uses

Landscape uses include hedge, privacy screen, windbreak and backdrop for perennial plantings. 

Naturalize in a native plant area.

 

Habitat of the Tree: Rich woods, sheltered slopes, borders of streams and limestone 

ridges. Swamps and low ground.

 

Edible parts of Indian Cherry: Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit has a thin rather 

dry flesh with a sweet and agreeable flavour. The fruit is about 7 - 10mm in diameter 

and contains 2 - 4 small seeds. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

 

Other uses of the herb: Wood - rather hard, light, close grained, not strong. It weighs 

34lb per cubic foot. Too small to be of commercial value.

 

Propagation of Indian Cherry: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a 

cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months stratification at 5C and should be 

sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into 

individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse 

or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the 

following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood 

of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring.

 

Cultivation of the herb: Rich woods, sheltered slopes, borders of streams and limestone ridges. 

Swamps and low ground.