The Generalist

[stevenj]

I have confused myself. I don't want anyone to tell me the answer but I'd be grateful for a "steer" as to what I should be looking for.
The clue is 26 d and is simply "The Buckthorn". Now the buckthorn is from the genus Rhamnus so i would normally search for some word with this root BUT I have R*E*N*E*R*. i.e. the third letter is an e not an a which seems to rule out a variation of "rhamnus". I noticed that the word could end in "berry" but the only berry that I can track down is the buckthorn berry and that obviously doesn't fit. Please unlock my brain. As I say, I don't want the answer, just a steer (the thing I love about this crossword is the way you have to research really obscure but interesting things)
SJ

[mazie]

if you look for the "berry" of the european buckthorn you should find your answer ( buckthorn can also known have the same name)

[JMR27]

look for another name for the buckthorn

[stevenj]

Thank you both very much. Just the sort of answers I was hoping for. Just enough to help but not so much that it actually answered the question. I have spent another while to find the answer and had detours around purgatives and eliminating the buckthorn from various parts of the USA; also discovering the various kinds of Buckthorn. All added to my rather slim knowledge of the subject. Then I was nearly caught unawares by the english spelling when I finally hit upon the right answer. But I got there! Thank you so much
SJ

[stevenj]

Dear Shawnee
Thank you. As I said in my note to the others, I enjoy digging around looking up the obscure stuff (sad or what?) but this looks useful when all else fails. Thank you
SJ