Evergreen buckthorn
Botanical Name
Rhamnus alaternus
Family
Rhamnaceae (buckthorn)
Also known as
Rhamnus, evergreen buckthorn, Italian buckthorn
Where is it originally from?
Mediterranean region
What does it look like?
Evergreen, often multistemmed, shrub or tree (<2-3m tall, occasionally <15 m) with hairy, angular, purplish shoots. Ovalish, leathery leaves (15-60 x 10-30 mm) are glossy above, entire or toothed sharply or blunt along the edges. Plants are either male or female, with small, green, petal-less fragrant flowers (3-4 mm diameter, May-Nov) followed by many showy, glossy berries (5-7 mm long, Dec-Jan) ripening from dark red to black.
Are there any similar species?
Similar to many native species, especially Coprosma, Pittosporum, and Myrsine.
Why is it weedy?
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.
How does it spread?
Birds, soil movement and dumped vegetation. Old hedges and gardens are common seed sources.
What damage does it do?
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.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Coastal and other shrublands, cliffs, forest margins, inshore and offshore islands, and rocky lands.
What can I do to get rid of it?
Control female plants first to minimise seeding.
1. Pull or dig small plants (all year round). Leave on site to rot down.
2. Cut down and paint stump (all year round): triclopyr 600 EC (100ml/L) or triclopyr 120g/L (500ml/L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (100ml/L) or glyphosate (250ml/L) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (10g/L + penetrant).
3. Cut and squirt (all year round): Make 1 cut every 50 mm around the trunk and apply 10ml triclopyr 600 EC (undiluted) or 10ml of a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (undiluted) to each cut.
4. Spray (spring-summer): triclopyr 600 EC (20ml/10L + penetrant) or triclopyr 120g/L (10ml/L).
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Bared sites reinfested by seed bank. Stumps resprout. Remove all browsing pests. Follow up sites 6 monthly until eradicated before replanting.
