Rhamnus alaternus L., Rhamnaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: evergreen buckthorn, Italian buckthorn

French: alaterne

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "Thornless shrub, 1-5 m. Leaves evergreen, glabrous except for bearding in the axils of the veins beneath, ovate to elliptic, 3-7 x 2-3 cm, acute, margin horny-serrate. Flowers in condensed panicles. Fruit black when ripe" (Davis, 1967; p. 531).

Habitat/ecology:  "Grass- and heathland, riparian habitats, froests, coastal dunes and beaches.  In the native range, this shrub is common in dry rocky places, Mediterranean scrub, and dry forests.  It is fast growing and resprouts vigorously from the base after damage.  The shrub forms dense thickets that shade out native plants and lead to species-poor stands"  (Weber, 2003; p. 356).

In New Zealand, "Coastal and other shrublands, cliffs, forest margins, inshore and offshore islands, and rocky lands. Quick growing, long-lived, forms dense stands and produces many viable, long-lived and well dispersed seeds. Tolerant to salt, wind, poor soils, frost and heat, damage and grazing, and seedlings also tolerate deep shade. Grows quickly when a light gap appears. Forms dense stands and prevents the establishment of native plant seedlings. Acts as a low shrub on windswept rocky shores or understorey shrub in tall canopy"  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

Propagation:  "It spreads both by seeds and by root suckering.  Fruits are abundantly produced and seeds dispersed by birds"  (Weber, 2003; p. 356).

Native range:  Mediterranean area, Crimea (Davis, 1967; p. 531).

Presence:

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Australia (continental)	introduced invasive	Weber, Ewald (2003) (p. 356)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced	Owen, S. J. (1997)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive cultivated	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 1047) "Mainly in scrub, around forest margins and plantations, becoming a serious weed in some northern localities".

Comments:  Reported as an invasive plant in New Zealand (Owen, 1996).

Control:  "Control female plants first to minimise seeding.

Physical:  Pull or dig small plants (all year round). Leave on site to rot down.

Chemical:  1. Cut down and paint stump (all year round): triclopyr 600 EC (100ml/L) or Yates Hydrocotyle Killer (500ml/L) or Tordon Brushkiller (100ml/L) or glyphosate (250ml/L) or metsulferon-methyl 600g/kg (10g + 20ml penetrant/L).
2. Cut and squirt (all year round): Make 1 cut every 50 mm around the trunk and apply triclopyr 600 EC (10ml) or Tordon Brushkiller (10ml) to each cut.
3. Spray (spring-summer): triclopyr 600 EC (20ml/10L + penetrant) or Yates Hydrocotyle Killer (10ml/L)"  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

Additional information:
Fact sheet from "An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand".
Information sheet from Weedbusters New Zealand.

Additional online information about Rhamnus alaternus is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Rhamnus alaternus as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Rhamnus alaternus may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Davis, P. H./Mill, R. R./Tan, Kit, eds. 1965. Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Edinburgh, University Press. 1965-1988, 10 vols.

Owen, S. J. 1997. Ecological weeds on conservation land in New Zealand: A database. Working draft. Wellington, New Zealand. Department of Conservation.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2011. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. 1988. Flora of New Zealand, Volume IV: Naturalised pteridophytes, gymnosperms, dicotyledons. Botany Division, DSIR, Christchurch. 1365 pp.

Weber, Ewald. 2003. Invasive plants of the World. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. 548 pp.