PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Lanced-leaved Buckthorn (Rhamnus lanceolata var. glabrata)

rham_lanc_003.jpg

 

 

 

 

8850.jpg

Photo by Wisconsin Herbarium

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Lanced-leaved Buckthorn (Rhamnus lanceolata var. glabrata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in dry to moist, brushy thickets with dolomite near the surface, often just below cliffs. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting early-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through late-August.

Rhamnus lanceolata ssp. glabrata

 
 
 

Lanced-leaved buckthorn is a shrub with 4-parted, unisexual, flowers that appear with the leaves. The petals are v-shaped with a deep notch at the tip. Fruits are black, fleshy, and contain a hard pit. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped or elliptic, 3-8cm long, usually half as wide, with many forward-pointing, incurving teeth and each side and 4 or more lateral, upcurving veins. Petioles are 4-10mm long.

Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting early-July through late-August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through late-August.

Associated species include Tilia americana, Ostrya virginiana, Andropogon scoparius, Bouteloua curtipendula, Cornus racemosa, Rhus glabra, Sorghastrum nutans, and Quercus macrocarpa.

Lanced-leaved buckthorn is found in dry to moist, brushy thickets with dolomite near the surface, often just below cliffs.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.

This species overwinters above ground, meaning that seasonal restrictions like conducting the a project on frozen ground will not result in avoidance. Therefore, known individual plant locations should be avoided year-round. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.