seeds of Frangula alnus, Alder Buckthorn

Frangula alnus, also called alder buckthorn, is a shrub variety of the family Rhamnaceae. The plant’s synonyms include Rhamnus frangula, Frangula atlantica, and Frangula nigra. Other common names for the plant include breaking buckthorn and glossy buckthorn. The plant has its origins in most of Europe, Western Asia and well as North Africa. Frangula alnus also grows in the eastern part of North America. The shrub can grow to a maximum height of between 3 and 6 metres. The shrub is characterised by multiple stems which rarely develop into a tree trunk. Frangula alnus has ovate, alternately arranged leaves that have a length of 3 to 7 cm and a width of 2.5 to 4 cm. The flowers are star-shaped, small, and grow in clusters. Each flower has a greenish-white colouration and a diameter of 3 to 5 mm. The fruits are black and 6 to 10 mm in diameter. The plant produces both male and female flowers which mostly rely on insects for pollination. Frangula alnus is useful to conservative efforts that focus on Brimstone butterflies. The plant may not have large white blooms, but it’s still able to attract butterflies along with other insects. The plant also has significant ornamental value, and thus one can find it in many front yards, parks, and gardens. One can also grow some cultivars of the species as a hedge, e.g. ‘Tallhedge.’ Frangula alnus is arguably most famous for its charcoal which many regard to be the best for making gunpowder. The plant’s bark and unripe fruits yield yellow and green dyes respectively. The wood was at a particular point in time the primary raw material in the making of veneer, shoe lasts and nails. A consequence of the plant’s successful naturalisation in the United States was an identification of the plant as an invasive species.