Family: buckthorns (Rhamnaceae)
Flowering time: May–June
Height: 30–150 cm
Habitat: rocky slopes, forest edges, open forests
Forked goat cherry (Rhamnus saxatilis) is a shrub up to one and a half meters tall with arching branches. Its lateral shoots usually end in a strong thorn. Lanceolate stem leaves are arranged opposite. They are 1 to 3 cm long and often folded lengthwise. The leaf petioles are 2 to 4 mm long, the edge of the leaf blade is finely serrated. Small greenish flowers are typically four-parted. In summer its spherical, glossy black drupe matures. Forked goat cherry thrives on warm locations on a calcareous substrate.
It is widespread throughout Slovenia, but not very common. It is especially rare in the northeastern part of the country.
