Alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus, Gard. dict. ed. 8: Frangula no. 1. 1768)

Family: Rhamnaceae

Author: Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. dict. ed. 8: Frangula no. 1. 1768

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Frangula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and Xinjiang, NW. Africa

Description

The Alder buckthorn, scientifically known as Frangula alnus, is a versatile and widespread deciduous shrub belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. First referenced in the 1768 edition of the Gardener’s Dictionary by Mill, it holds a notable place in both botanical literature and natural landscapes.

Native to a wide geographical range, Alder buckthorn is found extensively from Europe to Central Siberia and Xinjiang, as well as in Northwestern Africa. This broad distribution speaks to the plant’s adaptability and resilience in various climatic conditions and soil types.

Frangula alnus can be identified by its smooth, glossy leaves and clusters of small, yellow-green flowers that blossom from late spring to early summer. These flowers are followed by dark purple to black berries that provide a food source for various bird species, contributing to the shrub’s role in supporting local ecosystems.

Alder buckthorn typically thrives in moist, well-drained soils and is often seen in wetlands, alongside streams, and in other damp environments. Its ability to tolerate different conditions makes it a valuable plant for naturalizing and for use in ecological restoration projects.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Frangula alnus is utilized for its medicinal properties. Historically, extracts from its bark have been used as a laxative, although care must be taken in its use due to the potent nature of its compounds.

Overall, the Alder buckthorn is a significant plant both in the wild and in cultivation, offering ecological, medicinal, and aesthetic benefits. Its endurance across diverse regions and its contribution to habitat health make it an invaluable species within its native range.

Common Names

Eng: alder buckthorn, frangula, glossy buckthorn, breaking buckthorn, european alder buckthorn, glossy false buckthorn
Dan: almindelig tørst, tørst
Deu: faulbaum
Nor: brakald, hunde-hæg, olsu-hæk, troldkierring-hæg, trolhæg
Swe: brakved
Nld: sporkehout
Fra: nerprun bourdaine, frangola commune, aulne noir, bourdaine, bourgène
Ita: alno nero
Cym: brauwydd, breuwydd, breuwydden, rhafnwydden
En: Alder buckthorn, Frangula, Glossy buckthorn, Breaking Buckthorn, European alder buckthorn, Glossy false buckthorn, Butcher’s Frick Tree
Ca: Fràngula, Vern negre
Da: Almindelig tørst, Tørst
Nl: Sporkehout, Gewone Vuilboom
Fr: Nerprun bourdaine, Frangola commune, Aulne noir, Bourdaine, Bourgène, Bois à poudre, Bois-noir, Coudrier noir, Frangule, Rhubarbe des paysans
De: Faulbaum, Grindholz, Pulverholz, Zapfenholz
It: Alno Nero, Frangola comune
No: Brakald, Hunde-hæg, Olsu-hæk, Troldkierring-hæg, Trolhæg
Es: Arraclán, Avellanillo
Sv: Brakved
Cy: Brauwydd, Breuwydd, Breuwydden, Rhafnwydden

Synonyms

• Frangula dodonei (Ard. ex Soldano)
• Frangula vulgaris (Hill)
• Rhamnus frangula (L.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Marta Paplińska (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Makayla Osipenko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by wene Mal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 7, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Gérard FOURNIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by wene Mal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Rob van den Berg (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 1990 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 2, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Claudia Kirschner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Mad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Cassie Durbin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3039454)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:717344-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Frangula alnus Mill.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.0