The Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a spiny, fast growing, and bushy, native deciduous hedge. With creamy yellow flowers blooming in May, clustered in up to 10s with 5 petals. Followed by half inch (1cm) wide red fruits, progressively maturing through July to September, later turning black in autumn. In summer the leaves are an obovate glossy, dark green colour, pubescent underside, later turning yellow in autumn. They are 1” to 3” in length and 0.5” to 3” wide and arranged either alternately or in opposite pairs.