Common Buckthorn

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) -- also known as European buckthorn, Hart's thorn, European waythorn-- was brought to the U.S. in the mid-1800s as a hedging material and was quickly recognized as being aggressively invasive.  Buckthorn out-competes native plants, degrades wildlife habitat,  serves as a host to crown rust fungus and soybean aphid, and lacks any natural "controls" such as insects or diseases (from Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources).

Resources

Forest Invasive Plants Resource Center posts a pdf that covers identifying characteristics, information on habitat, look-alike plants, life history and invasive behavior, impacts on foresters and forestry, suggested control methods, history and lore, and additional links and references.

Last updated April 19, 2025