Alder Buckthorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European alder buckthorn
• alder buckthorn
• glossy buckthorn
• glossy false buckthorn
• Breaking Buckthorn
• frangula
• Glossy False-Buckthorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhamnus frangula

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Frangula and the specific species alnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing across various landscapes in Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is present in the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Its range also extends further north into the country of Norway. Together, these locations define the primary habitat for Frangula alnus across Northern Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Frangula alnus is characterized by its adaptation to highly diverse and moisture-rich environments, frequently colonizing habitats such as lakes, meadows, mountains, rivers, shrubberies, and swamps. It demonstrates a significant vertical distribution across varying landscapes, with a mean elevational range of 485 m AMSL. However, the species is capable of ascending to much higher altitudes, reaching a maximum elevational range of 2000 m AMSL, showcasing its resilience across different montane and lowland ecological zones.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

485 m AMSL

Habitat :

lakes, meadows: wet, mountains, rivers, shrubberies, swamps

Life history

The life history of Frangula alnus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its primary life form. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its phenological cycle. This combination of long-term survival, elevated bud positioning, and seasonal leaf loss dictates its ecological strategy and seasonal presence within its habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Frangula alnus is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically presenting as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining an independent and terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of stature, it reaches a minimum height of 1 m, with a mean height of approximately 5.5 m, and can grow to a maximum height of 7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

5.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Frangula alnus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many temperate woody species that facilitates carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. As a non-carnivorous organism, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrition through the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. The plant's leaf morphology plays a significant role in its resource management, featuring an average leaf length of 7.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 11 cm) and an average width of 4.25 cm (ranging from 2.5 cm to 6 cm). These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 9.6455 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 196.85 cm²/g, a physiological parameter that reflects the relationship between its leaf area and its dry mass, indicating how the plant optimizes its surface area for light interception relative to its biomass investment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

9.6455 cm²

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.25 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

196.85 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Frangula alnus is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through September, though the timing can be variable. The plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. Following pollination, the plant produces fleshy, indehiscent fruits categorized as drupes. These fruits have an average length of 0.62 cm and an average width of 0.69 cm. The seeds contained within the fruit have a consistent volume of 16 mm³ and a mean mass of approximately 0.04466 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.01679 g to a maximum of 0.02682 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are spread by animals, which complements the fleshy nature of the fruit to aid in distribution.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.62 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

0.69 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.02682 g

Seed mass mean:

0.04465689275 g

Seed mass min:

0.01679 g

Seed volume max:

16 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Frangula alnus has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include emodin, Aloe emodin, Anthraquinones, Chrysophanol, ANTHRONE.

emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP
3. Fitoterapia

Aloe emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anthraquinones

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy

Chrysophanol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ANTHRONE

1. Dr. Duke

Alizarin

1. Fitoterapia

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Armepavine

1. Dr. Duke

Barbaloin

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Frangula alnus has 264 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cardioprotective, Hepatoprotective, Laxative, (-)-Bactericide, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor.

Cardioprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

(-)-Bactericide

1. Dr. Duke

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HETE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AGEs-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Frangula alnus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include constipation, laxative.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations