Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Frangula purshiana (DC.) A.Gray ex E.Cooper (1857)
Synonymy:
  • Rhamnus purshiana DC. (1825)
Vernacular Name(s):
Californian buckthorn; Cascara sagrada
 Description

Large shrub or small tree (2)–6–7 m tall. Buds, young shoots and very young lvs with ferruginous tomentum. Petiole 1–2.5 cm long, tomentose. Lamina 5–13.5 × 3–7 cm, broad-elliptic or elliptic-obovate, ± hairy, densely hairy on the raised 12–16 pairs of veins beneath, subentire or crenulate-serrulate; base rounded or subcordate; apex mostly shortly cuspidate. Peduncles 5–35 mm long, ferruginous-tomentose; pedicels similar but shorter. Bracts to 1 mm long, subulate. Calyx c. 4 mm long, ferruginous-tomentose outside; lobes 1.3–2 mm long, triangular. Petals included, whitish; < calyx lobes; limb wider than long. Style c. 1 mm long; ovary glabrous. Fr. turbinate, black, 3-seeded.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Jun.–Mar.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor
Ministry for Primary Industries 23 Feb 2017: Unwanted Organisms Register. Version 02.01.02. https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor