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Cascara
Rhamnus purshiana
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 A small tree or shrub with greyish-black bark that grows to 10 metres tall.
Leaves
Alternate, oblong leaves have fine teeth along their edges and prominent
veins running parallel to the sides. It is the only deciduous tree in the province whose
buds are not covered by bud scales in the winter. |
Flowers
Nondescript, greenish flowers, clustered near ends of branches.Fruit
Purplish-black berries. |
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Bark
Thin, dark greyish-brown; smooth when young, becomes scaly with age. A cut
in the bark reveals a bright yellow inner bark that turns dark brown on exposure to air
and light.Where to find cascara
It is found on the southern part of the coast and Vancouver Island and in
scattered locations in the Columbia Valley in the Interior. |
Habitat
Cascara grows under conifers on rich, well-drained soils with plentiful
summer moisture. Streamsides and wet areas are favourite locations. Uses
The Nuu-chah-nulth people used the wood to make chisel handles, and the
Skagit people produced a green dye from the bark. Coastal people also knew it as a tonic
and as a laxative. |
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| Cascara was harvested throughout its range for use as a laxative. Bitter cascara
extract has been used in liquors and a debittered extract as a flavouring for drinks and
ice cream. Honey from cascara flowers is also reported to have a mild laxative effect. Originally,
people collected only the fresh bark, but soon the wood was discovered to contain 50
percent of the active compound. Legislation regulated cutting to prevent over-harvesting.
The legislation was rescinded after a synthetic source was developed.
Notes
Spanish priests in California named the tree Cascara sagrada,
meaning "sacred bark." This name has two possible origins. The first is from the
medicinal properties of the bark and the second from its resemblance to wood used for the
ark of the covenant. Rhamnus is the ancient Greek name for the genus. |
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