Buckthorn
Common name
Buckthorn
Scientific Name
Rhamnus alaternus
Type of plant
Uncategorised
About this weed
Buckthorn is a garden escapee originally from the Mediterranean Region. It is potentially a serious weed of disturbed bushland.
Description
Rhamnus alaternus is an erect shrub or tree to 6 m high. It has shiny, dark green, toothed, ovate leaves. Female flowers are small and green. Male flowers form on different trees. The fruit is red and succulent and dispersed by birds,possums and other animals. Reproduction is by seed and the time to first flowering is 2 years. The tree will resprout from base and can produce root suckers. The seedbank persists for 5+ years. The tree resprouts following fire.
Impact on Bushland
Potentially a serious weed of disturbed bushland. Can cause acute disruption of ecological processes, dominates and/or significantly alters vegetation structure, composition and function of ecosystems.
Location
This weed is a particular problem on Rottnest Island, the Swan River cliffs, the Helena Valley and at Harvey. It prefers sandy & loamy soils along rivers, creeks and flats.
Priority for removal
High: major threat to the conservation values of Banksia woodlands and South-West Province.
Management (hand)
Hand pull seedlings and dig out small plants (<50 cm tall).
Management (herbicide)
Cut and paint base with 50% Glyphosate or try basal bark application of 250 ml Access® in 15 L of diesel to basal 50 cm of trunk. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal months to spray are March to May and September to November. Spraying can be done occasionally in any other month.
Flowering month/s
June, July, August, September, October, November
Flower colour/s
Green
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4822
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.