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Rhamnaceae

Lance-leaf buckthorn occurs in the bottomland hardwood forests of East Texas and low woods of the Blackland Prairies with moist, calcareous soils. It ranges east through Arkansas, Alabama and Pennsylvania and north to Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and South Dakota. Its 3-inch-long lance-shaped leaves are smooth above, light green and somewhat hairy beneath, with a finely serrated margin. New reddish-brown fuzzy twigs mature to smooth and grey. Lance-leaf buckthorn is primarily dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) but may have a few perfect flowers (male and female flower parts on the same flower) on each plant. Its black fruit is poisonous.

Plant Habit or Use: medium shrub

Exposure: partial sun
shade

Flower Color: green or yellow - green

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: black drupe, obovoid to globose

Height: 9 feet

Width: 6 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: neutral
alkaline

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4

Additional Comments: