Plant of the Month: February, 1999

by Russell Stevens

Characteristics: Buckbrush (also called coralberry and Indian currant) is a shrub reaching four feet in height. It is a member of the Honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae. It can form thickets, although they generally are not dense. Buckbrush flowers from July through August. The bright coral-red fruits are borne in clusters, ripen from September through October, and may remain attached through most of the winter. Buckbrush can be found on bottomland or upland sites in grazed or regrowth woodland, old fields, and native and introduced pastures.

Area of Importance: Central Oklahoma and Texas, eastward.

Attributes: Buckbrush thickets can provide good cover for wildlife. Whitetailed deer browse it's leaves and stems. Although not highly preferred, at least 12 species of birds have been known to eat the fruit. Depending on habitat and winter conditions, some small mammals may also eat the fruit.

Problems: Buckbrush does not seem to be preferred by cattle, even under high stock densities. Good grazing management practices seem to keep it in check. Improperly grazing a pasture (native or introduced) may result in buckbrush encroachment. Attempts to chemically manage buckbrush should be made soon after leaf development in the spring. Otherwise, the leaves develop a thin, gray, waxy coating on the upper surface, retarding chemical absorption.

I.D. Tip: A sparse shrub with upright to arching stems. Larger stems are brown with loose bark that can be easily rubbed off in thin strips. Twigs are long, brown, slender and smooth. Some stems can spread along the ground, sending out runners to form new plants. Look for persisting coral-red fruit in the winter.

Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.