Frangula caroliniana aka Indian Cherry

Frangula caroliniana, or Carolina buckthorn, belongs to the buckthorn family. It grows in the eastern and central United States. Its native range extends into northeastern Mexico. It lives in woods, lowlands, and along stream banks. This deciduous shrub can also form a small tree. Garden plants reach 10–15 feet [3–4.6 metres] tall and wide. Some reach 30–40 feet [9.1–12.2 metres] tall. Its crown spreads out, with gaps between slender branches.

The bark is smooth and gray-brown, with dark patches. Small raised pores and shallow cracks mark its surface. Young stems can be green or red, with gray hairs. They turn gray and lose their hairs with age. Small, narrow buds lack scales and have dense hairs. The glossy leaves grow in an alternate pattern along stems. Each simple leaf has an oval or oblong shape. Leaf edges are smooth or have fine teeth. Eight to ten pairs of veins stand out beneath. Leaves can stay green well into the fall. They then turn yellow, orange, or red before falling.

Small flowers open from May through June near leaf bases. They grow alone or in small groups. Their pale green or yellow-green petals draw little notice. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visit the plant. Round, fleshy drupes follow the flowers and turn red first. They become shiny black as they ripen in fall. Each fruit holds three seeds and may last into winter. Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit. Deer browse the leaves, and snout butterfly larvae use the plant.

Grow it in sun or part shade with good drainage. It suits USDA zones 5–9 and needs little routine care. It accepts clay, sand, and loam, including acid soils. Alkaline soil and steady moisture suit it well. Older plants cope better with drought than young plants. Pruning can help keep its shape and build strong branches. Seeds provide a means of growing new plants. Use it for hedges, screens, or a small understory tree. Grouped plants give wildlife both food and cover.

Few pests or diseases cause major trouble. Leaf spot can occur, and it can host oat crown rust. Sources disagree about whether people can eat the sweet fruit. NC State warns that it can cause severe gut upset. Eating it may bring nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Do not treat the berries as a safe food crop. Native Americans used bark tea as a laxative or emetic. This historical use does not establish safety for home use.