Carolina Buckthorn is a small tree or large shrub of forests, found most often over basic rock. In North Carolina it's rare, found in a few counties in the Mountains and Piedmont.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Leaf undersides.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

The 5-parted flowers are small and white.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Recently a colony was found in the Blackwood Division of Duke Forest in Orange County, photographed here.

Formerly known as Rhamnus caroliniana.

The fuzzy brown naked buds are quite distinctive.

Orange Co., NC 5/30/04.

The fruits turn from red to black as they ripen.

Orange Co., NC 9/14/04.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.