Rhamnus lycioides, L.

3. R. lycioides L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 279 (1762).

Much-branched, glabrous or puberulent shrub up to 1 m. Leaves 0-5-2 cm, usually coriaceous, evergreen or deciduous, obovate to linear, obtuse or emarginate, sometimes mucronate, entire, rarely crenulate; petiole 2-3 mm; stipules caducous. Calyx-lobes lanceolate, acute, yellowish; petals absent or very small. Drupe 4-6 mm, obovoid, compressed laterally, yellowish or black when ripe; pyrenes 2. Mediterranean region, extending to Portugal. BI Cr Ga G r Hs Lu Sa Si.

1 Leaves linear to linear-spathulate; lateral veins invisible on upper surface; drupe black when ripe

2 Leaves and young twigs nearly or quite glabrous (a) subsp. lycioides

2 Leaves and young twigs densely puberulent (b) subsp. velutinus

1 Leaves usually obovate, rarely linear-obovate; lateral veins distinctly visible on upper surface; drupe usually yellowish

2 Leaves evergreen; veins conspicuous (c) subsp. oleoides

2 Leaves deciduous; veins inconspicuous (d) subsp. graecus