Rhamnus frangula L.

• Authority

  Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

• Family

  Rhamnaceae

• Scientific Name

  Rhamnus frangula L.

• Description

  Species Description - Shrub to 7 m; lvs all or mostly alternate, oblong or usually obovate-oblong, 5–8 cm, commonly more than half as wide, acute to abruptly short-acuminate, entire or with a few marginal glands near the tip; umbels sessile, with 2–8 fls, appearing after the lvs; pedicels glabrous or subglabrous, mostly unequal, 3–10 mm; fls perfect, 5-merous; pet broadly obovate, scarcely clawed, cleft at the tip, 1–1.4 mm; styles united; fr red, turning nearly black, with 2–3 stones; 2n=20–26. Native of Eurasia, escaped from cult. from Que. and N.S. to N.J., Ind., and Ky., especially in wet soil. May, June. (Frangula alnus)

• Common Names

  European alder-buckthorn