Rhamnus sp.
Buckthorn, Buckthorn
(c) Daniel Cahen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Cahen · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Variable; species dependent
Rhamnus sp. (Buckthorn) is a non-native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Ceanothus: Rhamnus has tiny inconspicuous flowers; Ceanothus has showy white or blue flower clusters.; vs Quercus: Rhamnus has thin leaves and berry fruits; Quercus has thick leaves and acorns.; vs Prunus: Rhamnus fruits have 2-4 stones inside; Prunus has single large stone (pit).; vs Rhus: Rhamnus has simple leaves and scaly buds; Rhus has compound leaves and hairy fruits.; vs Frangula: Rhamnus buds have protective scales; Frangula buds are completely naked.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhamnus sp. native to California?
No. Rhamnus sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Rhamnus sp. belong to?
Rhamnus sp. is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Rhamnus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Rhamnus alaternus — Italian buckhorn
- Rhamnus alnifolia — Alder buckthorn
- Rhamnus crocea — Spiny redberry
- Rhamnus ilicifolia — Hollyleaf redberry
- Rhamnus pilosa — Hairyleaf redberry
- Rhamnus pirifolia — Island redberry
- Ziziphus jujuba — Jujube
- Ziziphus sp.
- Adolphia californica — California adolphia
- Adolphia sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.