INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES FACT SHEET Glossy Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula

Description: Problem: Origin:

Glossy buckthorn is Glossy buckthorn has a Glossy buckthorn is a shrub or small tree wide habitat tolerance, a native to North Africa, growing to seven meters. rapid growth rate and an Asia and Europe. It Brown-green branches extensive root system. was introduced to North have elongate lenticels, It produces abundant America as ornamental and may be slightly flowers and fruits shrubs for fence rows pubescent. Cutting the throughout the growing and wildlife habitat and is Very High stem reveals a distinctive season. Seeds are widely still used in landscaping. yellow sapwood and pink dispersed by birds. They to orange heartwood. aggressively invade The leaves are 1-3 natural areas and form inches long, shiny on dense thickets eliminating Medium the upper surface, oval native species. They in shape and slightly leaf out very early in the Low wavy. Flowers are growing season and keep greenish-white and 5 their leaves late into the petaled. Fruits undergo fall helping to shade out a color transition native trees, shrubs and from green to red to wildflowers. High black in later summer, maturing in September.

Commonly sold cultivars Seedling picture by: J. M. Randall include Asplenifolia and Pictures By (From Top to Bot- Columnaris (also listed as IPSAWG Ranking: tom): J. M. Randall, P. Mill @ Tallhedge). www.invasive.org and J. M. Randall. Distribution: HIGH HIGH HIGH Invasive Plants are a Threat to: Glossy buckthorn occurs Ecological Potential for Difficulty of from Nova Scotia to Impact Expansion Control • Forests and Manitoba, south to wetlands Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey and Tennessee. It IPSAWG Recommendation: was probably introduced •Do not buy, sell or plant glossy buckthorn in • Native plants to North America before Indiana. 1800, but did not •Help by eradicating glossy buckthorn on your • Perennial gardens become widespread property. and naturalized until •Also avoid common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica); • Wildlife the early 1900’s. Fens, this species is considered invasive in many parts of the sedge meadows, wet Midwest. • Lakes and rivers and mesic prairie, shrub This ranking illustrates the results of an assessment conducted swamps, and upland by the Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group forests frequently have (IPSAWG), which is made up of many organizations and agencies • Human Health concerned about invasive plant species. IPSAWG’s goal is to assess glossy buckthorn in the which plant species may threaten natural areas in Indiana and understory. In Indiana, it develop recommendations to reduce their use in the state. • Farmland is found primarily in the For more information about IPSAWG and the assessment tool used northern third of the state. to rank invasive species, visit their website: Date Updated: 10/06 www.invasivespecies.IN.gov ALTERNATIVES Control Methods: to Glossy buckthorn: Fire will top kill stems, by new seedlings. 30% glyphosate in however re-sprouting Repeated mowing has August/September or will occur and seed been reported effective in spray application of 5% germination may increase. maintaining open areas glyphosate in May/July. Seedlings or small plants and preventing seedling may be hand pulled or establishment. Chemical Always read and follow removed with a grubbing treatments include: pesticide label directions. hoe or larger plants may stump application of be pulled out with heavy Redosier Dogwood equipment. However, (Cornus sericea) this often disturbs roots of adjacent plants, or creates open soil readily colonized

A dense thicket of glossy buckthorn has eliminated other species along this roadside. (Picture Silky Dogwood By: G. Fewless) (Cornus amomum) Eight Easy Ways to Combat Invasive Plants

You can help stop the spread of invasive plants by following these 8 easy guidelines: 1. Ask for only non- for invasive species, and and natural areas to invasive species when you remove invasives before assist ongoing efforts acquire plants. Request that they become a problem. If to diminish the threat of nurseries and garden plants can’t be removed, invasive plants. Carolina buckthorn at least prevent them from (Rhamnus caroliniana) centers sell only non- 7. Help educate your invasive plants. going to seed. community through 2. Seek information on 4. Clean your boots before personal contacts and in invasive plants. Sources and after visiting a natural such settings as garden include botanical gardens, area to prevent the spread clubs and civic groups. horticulturists, of invasive plant seeds. 8. Support public conservationists, and 5. Don’t release aquarium policies and programs to government agencies. plants into the wild. control invasive plants. 3. Scout your property 6. Volunteer at local parks Serviceberry For More Information: (Amelanchier arborea) Pictures By (Top to Bottom): D. E. On this assessment and IPSAWG: Herman, U. Conn, T A&M U, W. S. IPSAWG Justice. www.invasivespecies.IN.gov On identification and control techniques: Other Alternatives: The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Weeds Lance-leaved buckthorn www.tncweeds.ucdavis.edu (Rhamnus lanceolata) On native plant alternatives and sources: Grey Dogwood Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (Cornus racemosa) www.inpaws.org This grant project made possible with United States Forest Service funds administered by the IDNR, Division of Forestry.