Rhamnus species # 1   Rhamnaceae  (Buckthorn Family)   Origin Unknown   Rhamnus

                                         March Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Evergreen nearly glabrous shrub, mature height unknown, presently +/- 5 m. tall; lvs. alternate, 3.5-(6.7) cm. long, 1.5-(3.8) cm. wide, broad-elliptic, often mucronate, with a few gland-like hooked projections on margin, coriaceous, dark green above, lighter below; petioles to 1.2 cm., with dense short white hairs; stipules, awl-shaped, glandular, turning brown and dry early; infl. dense, more or less pubescent; most fls. staminate only, some fls. bisexual, 5-merous, in axillary racemes; bracteoles ciliolate, usually caducous; calyx-lobes lanceolate, glabrous, 2mm. long, acute, light green with flecks of purple, fleshy; petals absent; anthers versatile, filaments +/- 1mm. long, alternate with sepals; style 1, stigma 3; drupe 4-6 mm.,  fleshy, obovoid, reddish becoming black.

Habitat:  Escape from cultivation, complete habit unknown.  Blooms winter and early spring here.  (my comments).

Name:  Rham-nus, ancient Greek name.  (Bailey 645).  Rhamnus was the name of a city in Attica, a region of ancient Greece.  Why it was chosen by a botanist for use as a genus name is not known to us.  (John Johnson).  

General:  Rare in the study area, only one tree known and this in Big Canyon.  Keys to R. crocea using the key in Bailey p. 645 but it is not this species of Rhamnaceae. (my comments).         The medicinal benefits of R. californica were known to the Indians who are said to have used it to correct the effects of an acorn diet.  The bark was formerly widely collected and exported to be made into a laxative.  It was hoped that the berries would be a perfect substitute for coffee, but the flavor did not live up to the shape of the berry.  (Dale 168).       R. californica, Coffee Berry, is a laxative, containing emodin and other rhamnoid glycosides; a teaspoon of the chopped bark boiled for ten minutes is a starting dose, increased or decreased depending on its effects, which vary in different localities.  Coffee Berry is especially useful for inflammatory rheumatism, where the joints are swollen and painful.  (Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West 60).      The bark of R. frangula has been used as a purgative, diuretic and emetic.  It is a very effective remedy for appendicitis.  Not habit forming.  Will produce profuse perspiration when taken hot.  Take both internally and apply externally as a wash.  The ointment made of buckthorn bark is very effective in curing itch.  Expels worms.  Will remove warts.  Good used as a fomentation or poultice. (Kloss 210).     About 100 species, of almost worldwide distribution, some of considerable medicinal value.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 738).     See Rhamnus species #2 for additional information on the genus.  (my comment).        In late 2003, Andy Sanders of the University of California, Riverside, tentatively identified this plant as Rhamnus alaternus.  I question this identification as R. alaternus has petals, while this specimen does not.  (my comments)..

Text Ref:  Bailey 644; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 738; Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984  p. 441; Tutin, et al. Vol. II 244.

Photo Ref:  Feb-Mar 88 # 12,14,15; Mar-April 88 # 5A; Mar 95 # 21, May-June 00 #21; Feb 05 #1.  

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.  

First Found: February 1988.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 405.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004.

Last edit 8/5/05.

                                February photo                                                          January Photo