Italian Buckthorn
About Italian Buckthorn
Italian or Mediterranean Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) is an evergreen shrub growing 1–5 metres. The stems have reddish bark and leathery, shiny green leaves.
The small fragrant flowers appear from February to April. Fruits (berries) are red-brownish and darken to black when ripe. It was introduced as a garden shrub, and has become a serious invasive woody weed in many areas, especially coastal parts of SE Australia.It displaces native shrubs of similar size such as the sea box, (an endemic plant which had an important medicinal role for first nations people). It prevents native plants from surviving due the heavy shade and competition for moisture and nutrients. It can form dense thickets with very low biodiversity.
How it escapes
Italian buckthorn produces large quantities of berries which are spread by birds, ants and wildlife droppings. It grows quickly and easily from seed, which germinate in autumn or spring. It also spreads via suckering, dumped garden waste, or seeds transported in soil.
How to keep it in your garden
It is preferable to consider total removal and replace with a less invasive plant. (Grow me instead below)
All year round
- Cut all flower heads before seeding
- Dig out seedlings and saplings (tops break easily so don’t pull them out).
- Dispose of cuttings responsibly
- Cut and scrape the stem and swab with herbicide or drill into the trunk and fill with herbicide.