Rhamnaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Frangula purshiana

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

4/5

Safety & Hazards

Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging. Apparently, if Casara buckthorn is handled for a long time, the laxative effects can even be transferred through the skin[ 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ].

Botanical Description

Frangula purshiana is an erect, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or a small tree that can grow from 1 - 12 metres tall. The boles of larger specimens can be 20 - 30cm in diameter. Plants are tallest in the north of its range, becoming more shrubby towards the south[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ]. A popular domestic medicine, the plant is harvested from the wild and also cultivated for its bark[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. The plant is also harvested from the wild for a variety of other local uses, and can be grown as a hedge. Frangula purshiana is fairly frequent across its expansive geographic range and there are expected to be a large number of individuals. There is concern that the population is in decline due to the targeting of the species for its bark, which is in demand as a laxative medicine. Currently, this decline is estimated to fall below 30% but this use should be monitored and steps taken to ensure the sustainability of harvest. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - southern British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, northern California.

HabitatRich bottom lands and sides of canyons, usually in coniferous forests[ 60 Title Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Publication Author Hitchcock. C. L. Publisher University of Washington Press Year 1955 ISBN - Description A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader. , 82 Title Manual of the Trees of N. America. Publication Author Sargent. C. S. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher Dover Publications Inc. New York. Year 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Description Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. ]. Coniferous forests, forest edges, deciduous woodlands, stream banks, coastal sage scrub, non-serpentine substrates; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].