Rhamnus - Benge

Buckthorn. Rhamnus is a genus of about 110 accepted species of shrubs or small trees, commonly known as buckthorns in the family Rhamnaceae. Its species range from 1 to 10 meters tall (rarely to 15 m) and are native mainly in east Asia and North America, but found throughout the temperate and subtropical Northern Hemisphere, and also more locally in the subtropical Southern Hemisphere in parts of Africa and South America.
Both deciduous and evergreen species occur. The leaves are simple, 3 to 15 centimeters long, and arranged alternately or in opposite pairs, or almost paired (subopposite). One distinctive character of many buckthorns is the way the veination curves upward towards the tip of the leaf. The plant bears fruits which are black or red berry-like drupe. The name is due to the woody spine on the end of each twig in many species. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhamnus_(genus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhamnus_(genus)

Dyeing with Buckthorn. Last October I dyed some yarns (wool-polyamid blend) with Buckthorn berries (my posting with details of that is here). I did not rinse the yarns then, but I stored them in a dark closet for the whole winter. Today I took them out, and they seemed to have preserved their colours (see the first photo of this posting). http://journalofadyer.blogspot.hu/2010/06/paatsaman-marjoilla-varjays-jatkoa.html

Rhamnus frangula - Közönséges kutyabenge. The plant is poisonous unless stored for 12 months before use[4, 19, 76]. This report is probably referring to the bark. Do not use in cases of intestinal obstruction, stenosis, atony, inflammatory colon disease, appendicitis, abdominal pain of unknown origin. Avoid long-term use. Two weeks recommended under medical supervision [301]. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhamnus+frangula

Rhamnus cathartica - Varjútövis. Both the bark and the fruit of common buckthorn have been used for their purgative effect upon the body, however they can be rather violent in their action and so are rarely used in human medicines[244]. The berries, harvested when fully ripe, are cathartic, depurative, diuretic, laxative and violently purgative[1, 4, 9, 19, 46, 61, 218, 238]. About 8 - 15 of the mature fruits, chewed before breakfast, are a strong and effective laxative for adults, they should not be used by children[9]. An infusion of the not quite mature fruits is gentler in its action[9]. Use with caution, in large doses the fruit can cause vomiting and violent diarrhoea[9, 21]. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhamnus+cathartica

Rhamnus saxatalis - Sziklai benge. A yellow to greenish dye is obtained from the unripe fruit[1, 11, 57, 103, 171]. This dye was at one time commonly used until the advent of chemically produced dyes. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhamnus+saxatilis

http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxonimage/id164314/?taxonid=217896

Rhamnus pumila - Törpe benge.  A low, sometimes procumbent shrub usually only a few inches high, of stunted habit; young shoots downy. Leaves variable in outline, sometimes roundish, sometimes narrowly oval, 3⁄4 to 2 in. long, more or less tapered at the base, mostly finely toothed; glabrous, or with down along the midrib and veins; veins parallel in from five to eight pairs; stalk downy, 1⁄8 to 1⁄3 in. long. Flowers pale green, the parts in fours. Fruits globose, blue-black.
Native of the mountains of Central and S. Europe, mainly on limestone; in cultivation 1752. It inhabits crevices of rocks, and is of the curious gnarled type common in such places. It has some beauty in fruit, and is best adapted for the rock garden, where it makes a neat and pleasing tuft, although less close and compact than in the wild. http://www.beanstreesandshrubs.org/browse/rhamnus/rhamnus-pumila-turra/

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Rhamnus_pumila_fruits.jpg

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Rhamnis pumila magok. http://www.kpr-eshop.eu/hu/trees/?slist_page=0&slist_letter=R

Dyeing with Rhamnus alaternus - Örökzöld benge. Hubby & I noticed the presence of an evergreen that was in one of the dyeing books we own. So we picked a couple of handfuls of leaves & drupes(they are not endangered species here), and decided to use them for dyeing. Rhamnus alaternus is know in English under the name of "Italian buckthorn", and in French under the name of "nerprun alaterne". I read that other types of buckthorns were traditionally used for dyeing, but not this one. I love experimenting, don't you ?
 http://naturallydyeing.blogspot.hu/2010/06/r-h-m-n-u-s-l-t-e-r-n-u-s.html

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http://naturallydyeing.blogspot.hu/2010/06/r-h-m-n-u-s-l-t-e-r-n-u-s.html

http://naturallydyeing.blogspot.hu/2010/06/r-h-m-n-u-s-l-t-e-r-n-u-s.html

Rhamnus frangula 'Aspleniifolia'. A fantastic foliage plant, Rhamnus frangula 'Asplenifolia' has very fine leaves, similar in appearance to some of the more dainty Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) cultivars from a distance. These are a bright green in spring and summer before turning a lovely bronze-yellow in autumn before falling.
In winter once the leaves have fallen the attractive, pale-grey bark with its very conspicuous lenticels can be easily seen. An unusual and highly ornamental selection of our native alder buckthorn which also acts as a host plant for brimstone butterflies. http://www.bluebellnursery.com/catalogue/trees/Rhamnus/R/3131

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