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Smith, R.W.

Rhamnus alnifolia

Rhamnus alnifolia L'Hér.

Alderleaf Buckthorn

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RHAL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Habitat: Woodland,Swamp/Marsh,Bog/Fen,Lakeshores

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds, Butterflies
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Berries. Low toxicity if eaten. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Toxic Principle: Glycosides. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Pale Swallowtail

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Pale Swallowtail
(Papilio eurymedon)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			OBL		OBL	FACW		OBL	OBL	FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhamnus alnifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhamnus alnifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhamnus alnifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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