Rhamnus alaternus L.

An evergreen, sometimes unisexual shrub of rounded, bushy habit reaching 10 to 12 ft in height, occasionally twice as high; young branchlets covered with a close, minute down. Leaves oval or oblong, sometimes inclined to obovate. 3⁄4 to 2 in. long, 1⁄2 to 1 in. wide, tapered at both ends and with a short abrupt apex, margins thickened and more or less toothed, especially when young, sometimes entire, often conspicuously three-nerved at the base, dark glossy green and glabrous except for some down on the lower part of the midrib above, and for tufts in the lowermost vein-axils beneath; chief veins two to five each side the midrib; stalks 1⁄6 to 1⁄4 in. long, downy. Flowers yellowish green, very small (1⁄8 in. diameter), crowded on short, axillary, umbel-like racemes, scarcely 1⁄2 in. long, expanding in April. Fruits black, 1⁄4 in. long.

Native of the Mediterranean region, also of Portugal, Atlantic Morocco, and the Crimea; introduced early in the 17th century if not before. The specific epithet alaternus is an old generic name, not an adjective, and therefore retains the masculine ending even though Rhamnus is feminine.

The alaternus is a useful, cheerful-looking evergreen of much the same character as phillyrea, but with alternate leaves. It has no beauty of flower, and little of fruit, although the latter are occasionally produced in such abundance as to be noticeable; but it makes a dense mass of pleasant greenery. Easily propagated by cuttings, and perfectly hardy.