Fruit causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.
Native to Europe and north-central Asia.
Previously known as Rhamnus frangula.
Deciduous shrub growing to 10-12 feet in height and 8-12 feet in width.
Simple, shiny and dark green leaves, with small but attractive flowers and large, black berries.
Does well in most soil textures, but prefers high moisture and slightly acidic pH.
One of only two plants eaten by the Gonepteryx rhamni (common brimstone butterfly).
Wetand status FAC
Hardiness zone 3-7
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
The Greco-Roman botanist Galen of Pergamon wrote, in his guide to over 300 herbal medicines, that the alder buckthorn can be used to prevent headaches. He also claimed that it had the power to protect against "witchcraft, demons, [and] poisons."
Specimen photographed found at Lost Lake, Groton, Massachusetts. Part of the Shoreline Plants assignment (10/20/2021)
Plant History and Etymology
The plant was originally placed in the genus Rhamnus (meaning "thornbush" in Latin) by Linneaus, but was reclassified by later botanists into its own genus Frangulus (meaning "fragile", from the original species name). The specific epithet, alnus, means "alder" in Latin. It iself is not an alder, but it is associated with alder trees due to growing on the same type of damp sites. It and other buckthorns were noted by the 2nd century AD Greek physician Galen of Pergamon to be a laxative and protection against headaches. It is considered an invasive species in many states, invading low-lying, moist forests.
Design Considerations
Black, gold and purple flowers are 4-5 petaled and the berries are large and shiny. The plant is considered invasive and banned in all New England states except Connecticut, so it should always be avoided. They form very thick hedges with long branches, crowding and shading out native groundcover plants. The lack of native shrub and herbaceous species may prevent fire from spreading in fire-managed ecosystems, and host the crown rust fungus (Puccinia coronata) which hurts common crops such as oats and soybeans.
Sources
Wikipedia Contributors. 2021. “Frangula Alnus.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. July 6, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frangula_alnus.
“Frangula Alnus (Alder Buckthorn, Glossy Buckthorn) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” 2021. Ncsu.edu. 2021. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/frangula-alnus/.
“USDA Plants Database.” 2021. Usda.gov. 2021. https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=FRAL4.
“Frangula Alnus (Glossy False Buckthorn): Go Botany.” 2021. Nativeplanttrust.org. 2021. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/frangula/alnus/.
“Common Buckthorn – New York Invasive Species Information.” 2019. Nyis.info. 2019. http://nyis.info/invasive_species/commonbuckthorn/.