Indian Cherry (Rhamnus carolinianus)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −23.3 °C

Cultivation

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil. One report suggests that the plant might not be very hardy in Britain. A slow-growing and usually short-lived plant in the wild. Plants are susceptible to 'crown rust' of oats. This species is closely related to R. purshiana.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months stratification at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit has a thin rather dry flesh. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal uses

A tea made from the bark is emetic and strongly laxative. An infusion of the wood has been used in the treatment of jaundice.

Material uses

Wood - rather hard, light, close grained, not strong.

Habitat

Rich woods, sheltered slopes, borders of streams and limestone ridges.

Native range

Eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and Nebraska.