06.05.2014 Views

Sandbanks Draft Veg Mgmt Plan - Ontario Parks

Sandbanks Draft Veg Mgmt Plan - Ontario Parks

Sandbanks Draft Veg Mgmt Plan - Ontario Parks

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

APPENDIX E – Invasive Species Information Sheets<br />

Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica L.<br />

Glossy Buckthorn<br />

Rhamnus frangula<br />

Buckthorn Family<br />

Rhamnaceae<br />

Alternate Common Name<br />

European Buckthorn<br />

Distribution<br />

Native to most of Europe, and west and north Asia.<br />

In <strong>Ontario</strong>, Buckthorn is found east and south west of the Canadian Shield.<br />

In SEZ, Buckthorn is known to occur in Peter’s Woods, Fitzroy, <strong>Sandbanks</strong>, Presqu’ile,<br />

Darlington, Voyageur, Charleston Lake, Murphys Point, Burntlands, Emily, and Menzel.<br />

Biology and Ecology<br />

Brackets indicate Glossy Buckthorn features where they differ from Common Buckthorn.<br />

General Description: Shrub or small tree, up to 6 m in height. Branches spine tipped (No<br />

spine). Branchlets are stout and purplish-red or grey-brown (brown to gray with pale<br />

lenticels). Leaves persist throughout the winter.<br />

Leaves: Leaves up to 8 cm long and 4 cm wide, and generally opposite, but can be subopposite<br />

or alternate. Elliptic to ovate leaves have a shiny appearance and fold slightly<br />

along the midrib near the tip (Do not fold). Strongly curved veins. Leaf margin toothed. (Leaf<br />

margins wavy).<br />

Flowers: Less than 6 mm in diameter, greenish yellow. Found in dense clusters in the leaf<br />

axils. Early June.<br />

Fruit: Three – four seeds in a berry-like drupe. Clustered fruit turns black when ripe in<br />

August or September.<br />

Similar species: The native Buckthorn, Alder-leaved Buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), has<br />

much narrower leaves, has no thorns, and, as the name implies, looks more like an alder<br />

species.<br />

Habitat: Common Buckthorn found in dry to moist habitats, especially open areas and<br />

successional forests (Soper and Heimburger, 1982). Glossy Buckthorn prefers wetter and<br />

more acidic soils. Buckthorn does not do well in deep shade, and colonies are often evenaged,<br />

as seedlings cannot grow under shade of mature plants.<br />

Dispersal: Dispersed by birds, mice and possibly by members of the deer family. Seed may<br />

also be water dispersed, as the dry fruit of Common Buckthorn can float for 6 days and seed<br />

for 3 days before sinking, while the fresh fruit of Glossy Buckthorn can float for 19 days, and<br />

dry seeds for one week (Converse, 1984). This is significant for populations found along<br />

waterways, or areas that are seasonally flooded (Converse, 1984).<br />

Potential Threats to Native Flora and Fauna<br />

<strong>Sandbanks</strong> <strong>Veg</strong>etation Management <strong>Plan</strong> A-14<br />

<strong>Ontario</strong> <strong>Parks</strong>, SE Zone<br />

2009

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!