Rhamnaceae FAMILY

Rhamnus crocea

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

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.

Botanical Description

Rhamnus crocea is an evergreen, spreading shrub, usually armed with thorns, growing 120 - 200 metres tall, occasionally to 400cm[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. , 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. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouth-western N. America - California to Arizona, south to Mexico.

HabitatDry washes and canyons, coastal and inland dunes, alluvial fans, gravel flood plains, disturbed sandy flats, brushy slopes, steep granitic slopes, woodlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral; at elevations from 50 - 1,200 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. ].