glossy buckthorn: Frangula alnus (Rhamnales: Rhamnaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

glossy buckthorn	USDA PLANTS Symbol: FRAL4 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub
Frangula alnus P. Mill.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Rhamnales: Rhamnaceae
Synonym(s): alder buckthorn
Native Range: Europe, Western Asia, North Africa (REHD); Europe, No. Africa, Asia (BAIL);
Glossy buckthorn is a large shrub or small tree that can grow to heights of 30 ft. (9.1 m). The dark green leaves are shiny, alternate (sometime opposite) and simple with prominent venation. The flowers are inconspicuous, pale yellow in color and occur in clusters in the leaf axis. Flowering occurs in the spring. The fleshy fruit ripens to a dark purple color. The bark is gray to brown with white lenticels. It invades moist woodlands and disturbed areas throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Its rapid growth and prolific seed production make this plant an aggressive invader that can form dense thickets which shade and displace native understory plants, shrubs, and tree seedlings. Glossy buckthorn is native to Europe and was first introduced into the United States in the mid 1800s as an ornamental.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Diagram or Graphic; 1. Flowering branchlet. - 2. Mature shoot with fruits in different ripening stages. - 3. Seedling with first ordinary leaves (germination is hypogeous). - 4. Stone viewed from different aspects. - 5. Winter-branchlet. Naked buds on spurs arranged in helical order. After Hempel & Wilhelm, 1889. Photos and explanations from the book: Zelimir Borzan. "Tree and Shrub Names in Latin, Croatian, English, and German, with synonyms", University of Zagreb, 2001. Zelimir Borzan, University of Zagreb, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Close-up of pinnately veined leaves Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; Close-up of flowers and fruits Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Poland Gil Wojciech, Polish Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Root(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Steve Manning, Invasive Plant Control, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); November Steve Manning, Invasive Plant Control, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 504. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State(s) Where Reported invasive.
Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database.

Native Alternatives:
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn) Ilex verticillata (common winterberry) Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush) Photinia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) Viburnum nudum var. nudum (possumhaw)	More Information on Native Plants at: www.beplantwise.org PlantWise is a partnership between the National Park Service, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Garden Club of America and The National Invasive Species Council to prevent harmful invasive plants from invading natural areas.