In just a few weeks Mediterranean Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) did change from winter bleakness to spring joyfulness.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakTVGFE3nN10lkrYGbDqaREhMd1LGlGfFFXM54zi1YCGm1_UndkQDI7ae8Gj2J8lnE7fKl8S1OQi6QisyzrO_B24X0ge_fOQ_PDJnuM5Ybq8JGZnvbv1KG5NIDvQufbYLSES1DHkZoNk/s640/rhamnus+alaternus-177250za-bl.jpg)
Its persistent leaves that had turned reddish to cope with frosty mornings are now green. Surely, the exceptional amount of warmth and sunshine of this February did help.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnotjKdPAPOu_HjKUNp8uFGa8TmueQWJYejyt0H_N8E4p9w2jW2Bz7H11bvBjqlnCTL9PsfzaiBLJqHszkP8zHI4IDmNsflUJdX-3sci6Gt5hv7yNWn3sFlngl5918I3H0eEOXD34P-Uo/s640/rhamnus+alaternus-201196za-bl.jpg)
Mediterranean Buckthorn grows on dry limestone soil and it squarely prefers slopes. It is a bush from some decimetres to several metres high. Its light grey branches with smooth bark carry leaves only at their tips.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TveiOQ2kHg6rXZhzsM9FLEdN2hDzDqkaoFzBanv1AXCIOp3xgpqMqJWahiTezoCgoByiXs0_JcftqIZWOnzYaPOmMsWk1zu9Iw7wdoKkXguRxY7qhiunGiBQMc_wIfGtBxwfjlZuvik/s640/rhamnus+alaternus-201188za-bl.jpg)
It already begins to flower, with clusters of five-pointed flowers without petals.
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This plant is male, you can see the stamina with their light yellow pollen coming out of the flowers.