Mediterranean flora abounds with evergreen species and shrubs that stoically endure high temperatures and lack of rainfall. One of them which corresponds perfectly to this description of very hot or even arid zones is the bush Rhamnus alaternuscommonly called aladierno.
It is an evergreen shrub, with red berries attractive to the naked eye, which grows naturally in forests and poor areas of the Mediterranean region, especially in the region of Murcia and Andalusia.
In this article we will introduce you to the main characteristics of the Aladierno and how it is cultivated and grown in this region. It is not a species that has interest in growing ornamentally in the garden, although it is increasingly used to form hedges and separate spaces, given its ease of trimming.
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Characteristics of Rhamnus alaternus
Rhamnus alaternus It is considered a small shrub. Given the dry environment in which it usually grows, it is usually more than a meter tall and rarely exceeds 3 meters in the adult stage (in some extreme cases, up to 5 meters).
Although it has little foliage, buckwheat is notable for its leathery leaves, which means they are hard to the touch, a mechanism to reduce water loss due to temperature extremes and make it difficult to feed. herbivorous animals. Its size and development are conditioned by the availability of water. In regions with more than 400 mm rainfall, this species tends to grow and develop more vigorously. On the other hand, very dry areas usually have a very small size and lower leaf density.
Rhamnus alaternus It is a species considered to be very resistant. In fact, it’s a evergreen shrub, remaining green all year round. Its leaves are small (up to 6 cm long) with a rounded shape and saw-like tips.
Flowering period: spring (from March). Its flowers give off a very aromatic smell, although they are small in size and have 4 petals.
Fruiting: fruits ripen in late summer or early fall. They are generally part of the food of several species of birds.
Red buckwheat berries. Photography: Joanbanjo – Own worktaxonomy
| Order | rose bushes |
| Family | Rhamnaceae |
| Genre | Rhamnus |
| Species | Rhamnus alaternus |
Common names: barberry, aladierna, medicinal tree, bayon, biondo, carrasquilla, cascaborra.
Buckthorn has a great ability to reproduce naturally. In addition, its rapid growth and its resistance to bad weather make it an easy shrub to multiply in natural environments.
Its wood, although it has a certain quality, is generally not used since for each bush, the production of wood is minimal. However, it offers good properties for use in the manufacture of tools and furniture (carpentry).
As a medicinal plant, both the bark, which is gray in color with reddish tones, and the berries, which are very astringent, have long been used for their property purgative. Today its consumption is not recommended because, in excessive quantity, it can cause intestinal poisoning.
Where can we find the aladierno (Rhamnus alaternus)
the aladdin (Rhamnus alaternus) is a common-growing shrub in southern Europe, several Mediterranean islands, the Anatolian Peninsula, Israel, Libya, and Palestine, among others.
It has some presence in the northern part of Spain (Cantabrian Mountains and Pyrenees), although much less numerous than in the warmer Mediterranean area.
It usually grows in forests and glades with oaks, Welsh oaks, pine forests and all kinds of Mediterranean species. It usually grows in low areas, not exceeding 1500 m above sea level. It grows without problems in coastal areas.
ecological requirements
- Light requirements: It thrives in full light, although it can be grown in semi-shady areas.
- Temperature: tolerates high heat and is accustomed to growing in hot or even arid areas.
- Humidity: very dry environments. Shrub typical of regions with low humidity and rainfall.
- Water: only with rain. It grows in very dry environments, even below 150 mm in height.
- Soil type: infertile soils and alkaline pH.
- Multiplication: It propagates by seed (they require stratification) or also by cuttings, although it may require rooting hormones.
Cover photo: By Hectonichus – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0