Seasonal Wild Flowers

Alder Buckthorn

Latin name

Frangula alnus

Family

Rhamnaceae

Flowering season

May to June

English distribution

It is found throughout the country but is less common in

the far North.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Alder Buckthorn

Habitat

It grows in scrub, hedges, open woodland and bogs on

peaty soils.

It used to be planted for charcoal production.

Description

Alder buckthorn is a native deciduous shrub or small tree

growing up to 7m.

Flowers are on longish pedicels n clusters on young wood.

They are yellowish green and small (up to 3mm) and,

unlike in the related Buckthorn, hermaphrodite.

They are 5-merous with triangular sepals, pointed

spreading petals, 5 stamens and a 3-lobed capitate

stigma.

Fruits are berries and turn from green when young to black

when mature.

Leaves are up to 7cm, petiolate, oval and not serrate.

Twigs are pink or green in new wood and grey in older

wood.

Trunks and branches are grey and marked.

Unlike in Buckthorn or Sea Buckthorn, Alder Buckthorn

has no thorns.

It regenerates well after damage by fire.

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Alder Buckthorn, Shapwick Heath,

Somerset Levels

Cluster of flowers

Close-up of flower - 5 petals and 5 stamens

Close-up of flower- 3-lobed stigma

Young berries

Ripe berry

Leaf upper suface

Leaf - lower surface

Last year's grey twig and this year's pink and green twig

Mature trunk and branches

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Alder Buckthorn

Latin name

Family

Flowering season

English distribution

Habitat

Description