Endotropis lanceolata (Pursh) Hauenschild

Western Lance Leaf Buckthorn

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Western Lance Leaf Buckthorn is a native deciduous shrub in the Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). It is found in the Black Belt region of west-central Alabama. Western Lance Leaf Buckthorn occurs along the margins of prairies and prairie woodlands. It is a deciduous shrub reaching heights of 8-15 feet. The young twigs are greenish in color and pubescent or glabrous. Older stems and the truck have smooth gray bark. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, lanceolate to elliptic in outline, with finely serrate or crenate margins. The leaves may be glabrous or pubescent. Flowers are solitary or in fascicles. Each flower has 4 green sepals and 4 yellowish-green petals. The fruit is a black, globose drupe with 2 seed. Western Lance Leaf Buckthorn is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state) and globally as a G5 species (demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery).—A. Diamond.

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Native S2 (State Rank) G5 (Global Rank)

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