Other common names:
Alder Buckthorn, Buckthorn Family: Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae) Group: Buckthorns Distinctive features: Shrub; Glossy leaves. Similar species: • Alder-leaved Buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia) - grows in very wet areas. Leaves not glossy. • Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) - grows in drier areas. Leaves not glossy. • Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) - has reddish or greenish bark.
• Silky Dogwood (Cornus obliqua) - has striped bark.
Flowers: Spring; Green/Brown; 4 parts (petals); Small, hang down singly in sparse clusters, white to greenish-white. Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Alternate, Simple, Entire; Round, thin, resemble those of Round-leaved Dogwood (Cornus rugosa). Usually alternate, sometimes opposite. Height:
Up to 6 m (20 ft) Trunk:
StraightDark, spotted. Fruit/Seeds:
A black berry. Not edible. Habitat: Wet Areas; Open wet woods. Not common or widespread (yet). Books: Trees in Canada: 278 Shrubs of Ontario: 311 Native/Non-native:
Non-native Status:
Common, invasive.
Notes:
Glossy Buckthorn is a very invasive alien plant, originally from Europe. It can grow up to about 20 feet tall. Please help to slow the spread of this plant by pulling it up whenever you see it. The wood is fairly brittle, so it is easy to break up even a large one. However, please be sure that you're pulling up the right plant, as it can resemble native Dogwoods.
For more information visit: Ontario Trees and Shrubs Photographs:
56 photographs available, of which 13 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
A view of the overall plant, after a rain shower. Flower buds are visible.
Another plant. Note the shiny (glossy) leaves.
A typical Glossy Buckthorn leaf. Note the resemblance to Round-leaved Dogwood (Cornus rugosa) leaves! The leaves can also be somewhat pointed at the tips and not so round.
This photo really shows the "glossy" aspect of the leaves.
The underside of a leaf. Note this leaf is not as round as the other ones shown here.
First leaves coming out in the spring (early May). This plant is growing in a wet area.
Typical bark.
Flowers.
The flowers are small and easily overlooked. White or greenish-white.
