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Italian buckthorn

Rhamnus alaternus · Rhamnaceae · all Rhamnus records

Your local evidence lens

Separate evidence questions, never one approval badge

Set a ZIP to compare this record with state distribution, native range, USDA hardiness, and invasive records.

A genus split is not a placement verdict. Set a ZIP to read the local documented split.

1. Fire evidence and conditions

Fire evidence: Mixed evidence — location does not change the cited classification.
Fire-performance conditions: 1 condition stated in cited fire-evidence rows.
Fire ecology context: No section-reviewed fire-ecology context is normalized.
Placement evidence: 5 source placement records; source schemes remain separate.
Evidence regions: California; Catalonia, Spain; Global; Tlemcen, western Algeria
Maintenance: No sourced horticultural maintenance assertion is normalized; fire-test conditions do not supply maintenance advice.

Typed publication scope: 1 scope across 1 cited fire source

Defensible Space Landscaping in the Urban/Wildland Interface: A Compilation of Fire Performance Ratings of Residential Landscape Plants · Official scoped edition
- CA; partial normalized coverage · 1997-07-01
  The UC Forest Products Laboratory says the guide covers properties of common California landscaping plants and was prepared for California fire agencies. FireApproved publishes 130 exact owners at historical California publication scope. The report is a 1997 compilation, not a current endorsement, site rating, or independent test of every row.

2. Why this plant is relevant here

State distribution: No state distribution is normalized.
Native range: No current cited or legacy state native range is normalized.
Introduced / established: 1 sourced range or established record; set a location to match them. This is not an invasive warning.
USDA hardiness: No hardiness value is normalized.

3. Legal, ecological, and broader status

Legal-list status: Set a location for an exact legal-list result; source silence is not clearance.
Seed-list status: Set a location to compare the separate state noxious-weed seed layer.
Reported invasive here: No ecological invasive report is normalized; that does not prove noninvasiveness.
Broader regional context: Aggregate AK, HI, and L48 evidence is shown only as regional context, never as an exact-state finding.
Federal context: Federal designations remain separate from state legal-list results.

Documented conflict. Curated sources lean toward recommending it (Landscape for Fire Protection and Guía de pirojardinería), but direct fire evidence disagrees (The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the a…). Lab and field results are never outvoted by curation here — read both sides below and treat it conservatively near structures.

▲ Landscape for Fire Protection ▲ Guía de pirojardinería ▼ The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the a… · fire-tested

Computed class: Mixed evidence (disputed) — derived from the cited evidence by a published rule, never hand-assigned. Each chip above is one independent primary-evidence lineage and its direction. No plant is fireproof; condition and placement govern. Zone 0 is hardscape regardless.

How to read this page

The status above is computed from the cited rows below: independent recommendations can support a fire-resistant result, an avoid row can produce keep-away, and disagreement stays visible as conflict. Placement notes preserve each source’s own scheme rather than translating unlike rules into one scale. This is evidence about a plant, not permission to plant it in every part of the defensible space; Zone 0 remains noncombustible.

Form: shrub
Region: Algeria; Australia; Spain
Rated in: California; Catalonia, Spain; Global; Tlemcen, western Algeria
Family: Rhamnaceae
Evidence: 28 cited sources

Native and introduced range evidence

These are exact U.S. botanical-area records from the cited range source. Native and introduced describe biogeographic relationship, not fire performance or planting approval. Doubtful and extinct rows stay visible but do not count as current presence.

Current native

0

exact source areas

Current introduced

1

exact source area

Qualified

0

doubtful or extinct source rows

1 introduced source area · World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16 v16, as of 2026-06-04

California (CA)

The lossless worldwide derivative is retained once in the research corpus; object pages repeat only exact U.S. areas needed by the local lens. The JSON twin carries the same page assertions.

Conditions in the fire evidence

These describe tested or rated plant material. They are not horticultural maintenance instructions.

green: Landscape for Fire Protection evidence row, The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the area of Tlemcen (Western Algeria) evidence row

Where its sources say to plant it

Placement rules below use each source's own distances or named zones, tied to its rating. They are not interchangeable with the directory's current Zone 0 guidance.

Landscape for Fire Protection: irrigated hillsides [maire-1968-fire-protection-landscape] (with its recommendation)
Guía de pirojardinería: suitable inside or outside the 25-metre maximum-risk zone [girona-2020-iuf-25m-suitability] (with its recommendation)
The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the a…: Table 1 [henaoui-2013-fresh-material-flammability] (with its avoid rating)
Defensible Space Landscaping in the Urban/Wildland Interf…: Chapter 4, Landscape Vegetation Database [ucfpl-1997] (with its recommendation)
Les franges perimetrals de protecció contra els incendis …: page 4 species-selection panel [catalonia-perimeter-strip-maintain-remove] (with its recommendation)

The evidence

Grouped by what each source concluded. Primary evidence rated the plant itself (a lab, field program, or original curation); corroboration compiled or republished another source's rating and resolves to its root lineage.

Avoids (1)

The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the area of Tlemcen (Western Algeria) — European Scientific Journal · European Scientific Journal 9(29) · original source Primary evidence Lab-tested lineage: valette-1990

“High flammability — note 3” · score 3 (henaoui-2013-flammability-note-1-3) · condition: green · original source

Table 1 classifies Rhamnus alaternus at flammability note 3; the paper prints its stratum as Shrub.

Listed without a rating (23)

FLAMITS: FLAMmability plant traiTS database — Dryad / Global Ecology and Biogeography · Dryad version 9 · original source Corroboration Trait database lineage: meta-aggregator

23 cited rows from this source; its identity, lineage and tier are stated once.
- “flame height (cm): 28.18” · score 28.18 (FLAMITS — flame height (cm))
  
  FLAMITS record 4894; Combustibility measurement; plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device infrared burner; site Henaoui2013-1; sampling spring. Primary study Henaoui2013: Henaoui, S. E. -A., Bouazza, M., & Amara, M. (2013). The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the area of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). European Scientific Journal, 9, 84-103.
- “time to flaming (s): 65.12” · score 65.12 (FLAMITS — time to flaming (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 4932; Ignitability measurement; plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device infrared burner; site Henaoui2013-1; sampling spring. Primary study Henaoui2013: Henaoui, S. E. -A., Bouazza, M., & Amara, M. (2013). The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the area of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). European Scientific Journal, 9, 84-103.
- “burning duration (s): 144.72” · score 144.72 (FLAMITS — burning duration (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 4970; Sustainability measurement; plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device infrared burner; site Henaoui2013-1; sampling spring. Primary study Henaoui2013: Henaoui, S. E. -A., Bouazza, M., & Amara, M. (2013). The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the area of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). European Scientific Journal, 9, 84-103.
- “flammability value: 0” · score 0 (FLAMITS — flammability value)
  
  FLAMITS record 7965; Ignitability measurement; plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device epiradiator; site Martin1989-1; sampling ND. Primary study Martin1989: Martín, E., & Miguel, L. (1989). Inflamabilidad y energía de las especies de sotobosque
- “time to flaming (s): 24” · score 24 (FLAMITS — time to flaming (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 11660; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “maximum energy flux (kW/m²): 186” · score 186 (FLAMITS — maximum energy flux (kW/m²))
  
  FLAMITS record 11697; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “flaming duration (s): 78” · score 78 (FLAMITS — flaming duration (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 11734; Sustainability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “mass loss rate (g/s): 0.15” · score 0.15 (FLAMITS — mass loss rate (g/s))
  
  FLAMITS record 11771; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “burnt biomass (%): 86” · score 86 (FLAMITS — burnt biomass (%))
  
  FLAMITS record 11808; Consumability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “calorific value (kcal/kg): 4091.43” · score 4091.43 (FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg))
  
  FLAMITS record 11845; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “energy flux (kW/m²): 151” · score 151 (FLAMITS — energy flux (kW/m²))
  
  FLAMITS record 11882; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Salvo2015-1; sampling ND. Primary study Salvo2015: Salvo-Aires, F. (2015). Effects of woody weeds on fuels and fire behaviour in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. PhD. Dissertation. University of Sydney.
- “temperature at flaming (°C): 621.7” · score 621.7 (FLAMITS — temperature at flaming (°C))
  
  FLAMITS record 12141; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-1; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “temperature at flaming (°C): 634.75” · score 634.75 (FLAMITS — temperature at flaming (°C))
  
  FLAMITS record 12154; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-2; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “flaming duration (s): 378.91” · score 378.91 (FLAMITS — flaming duration (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 12173; Sustainability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-1; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “flaming duration (s): 457” · score 457 (FLAMITS — flaming duration (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 12188; Sustainability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-2; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “time to smoke (s): 94.64” · score 94.64 (FLAMITS — time to smoke (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 12207; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-1; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “time to smoke (s): 84.4” · score 84.4 (FLAMITS — time to smoke (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 12224; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-2; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “temperature at smoke (°C): 144.5” · score 144.5 (FLAMITS — temperature at smoke (°C))
  
  FLAMITS record 12244; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-1; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “temperature at smoke (°C): 134.8” · score 134.8 (FLAMITS — temperature at smoke (°C))
  
  FLAMITS record 12261; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-2; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “time to smouldering (s): 242.09” · score 242.09 (FLAMITS — time to smouldering (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 12280; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-1; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “time to smouldering (s): 240” · score 240 (FLAMITS — time to smouldering (s))
  
  FLAMITS record 12297; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-2; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “temperature at smouldering (°C): 391.91” · score 391.91 (FLAMITS — temperature at smouldering (°C))
  
  FLAMITS record 12316; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-1; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.
- “temperature at smouldering (°C): 384” · score 384 (FLAMITS — temperature at smouldering (°C))
  
  FLAMITS record 12333; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Saura2010-2; sampling august. Primary study Saura2010: Saura-Mas, S., Paula, S., Pausas, J. G,. & Lloret, F. (2010). Fuel loading and flammability in the Mediterranean Basin woody species with different post-fire regenerative strategies. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 19, 783.

Fire-resistant shrubs instead

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Fire-resistant shrubs listed above

Last verified 2026-08-25. JSON (CC BY 4.0)

Profiles: USDA PLANTS · GBIF ·

Rhamnus alaternus (Italian buckthorn). FireApproved. https://fireapproved.com/plants/rhamnus-alaternus/. Last verified 2026-08-25.