Question: Could you help me identify this plant, please? I think it's European buckthorn, but the sprout I have has alternating …
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Question
Could you help me identify this plant, please? I think it's European buckthorn, but the sprout I have has alternating leaves, while the common invasive buckthorn has opposite. Am I way off or is it another buckthorn? Thank you!
Answer
Dear halfcake, good afternoon. Rhamnus cathartica (European buckthorn) has variable leaf arrangement. It frequently shows alternate and subopposite leaves on the same plant. It does not regularly produce opposite leaves throughout a plant. While I can't see all the details needed for a confident identification, the plant looks like European buckthorn. Best wishes.
