Alder Buckthorn
Frangula alnus
Frangula alnus, commonly known as alder buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, or breaking buckthorn, is a tall deciduous shrub in the family Rhamnaceae. Unlike other "buckthorns", alder buckthorn does not have thorns. It is native to Europe, northernmost Africa, and western Asia, from Ireland and Great Britain north to the 68th parallel in Scandinavia, east to central Siberia and Xinjiang in western China, and south to northern Morocco, Turkey, and the Alborz in Iran and the Caucasus Mountains; in the northwest of its range, it is rare and scattered. It is also introduced and naturalised in eastern North America.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
⚠ Safety
All parts, especially the bark and berries, are a strong purgative and toxic raw. Grow for wildlife only.
At a glance
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Water need
- Medium
- Mature height
- 4 m
- Maintenance
- Low
- Hardiness
- USDA 4–8
- Layers
- shrub, understory
Functional roles
Propagation
How to make more of this plant for free — the permaculture way.
When: Sow seed autumn
Key food plant for the brimstone butterfly; thrives on damp, acid ground.
Where to get it
Read more
Seed data pending expert review. Identification photo and description are sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia; always confirm a plant in person before eating any part of it.