Carolina Buckthorn is a small tree or large shrub of forests, found most often over basic rock. It's very rare in the eastern Piedmont of N.C. Recently a colony was found in the Blackwood Division of Duke Forest in Orange County, photographed here. Also known as Rhamnus caroliniana.

The 5-parted flowers are small and white.

Orange Co., NC 5/30/04.

The fruits turn from red to black as they ripen.

Orange Co., NC 9/14/04.