Skip Navigation
Home / Techline library / Distinguishing Invasive Buckthorn from Native Alderleaf Buckthorn

Distinguishing Invasive Buckthorn from Native Alderleaf Buckthorn

Something went wrong. Please try again later...

Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnu [Rhamnus frangula]) are non-native, deciduous, woody shrubs or small trees that were introduced to North America as ornamentals, hedge-row plantings, shelterbelts, and wildlife habitat. Alderleaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia) is a deciduous native shrub or small tree. It is a desirable native plant that is not invasive, and plays an important role in the ecosystem. The three species of buckthorn overlap in their distribution and habitat in North America.

Distinguishing between non-native and native buckthorn is important so that management efforts can be targeted appropriately. The following description separates the two invasive buckthorns from native alderleaf buckthorn.

 

 

 

COMMON BUCKTHORN (RHAMNUS CATHARTICA)—INTRODUCED

  • Shrub to small tree: up to 25 feet tall
  • Leaves are dark-green, oval, 1.5-3 in. long. Edges slightly toothed, with 3 to 4 pairs of curving veins. Tip is sometimes folded. Mostly sub-opposite leaf arrangement. Photo: Chris Evans, Univ. Ill, Bugwood.
  • Bark is dark gray and the inner bark is orange (easily seen when the tree is cut).
  • Twigs are usually tipped with a sharp thorn.
  • Flowers are yellow-green, have four petals, and develop in clusters of 2 to 6 near the base of the petioles. Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, U.Conn., Bugwood.
  • Fruit (drupes) are small purple to black, and contain 4 seeds.
 

 

 

 

GLOSSY BUCKTHORN (FRANGULA ALNUS)—INTRODUCED

  • Shrub to small tree: up to 23 feet tall
  • Leaves are dark green and glossy above, oval, and generally alternate with distinct parallel lateral veins, lack toothed margins. Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, U.Conn., Bugwood
  • Bark is gray to brown, with small, whiteish openings (lenticels).
  • Twigs and stems lack thorns.
  • Flowers are white, occur in small clusters and have five petals Photo Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org
  • Fruit (drupes) are light green ripening to red then black in late summer, contain 2 to 3 seeds
Note: Glossy buckthorn has been sold by the nursery trade as three cultivars: Columnaris, Aspenifolia and Ron Williams.
 
 

 

 

 

ALDERLEAF BUCKTHORN (RHAMNUS ALNIFOLIA) —NATIVE

  • Shrub: up to 8 feet 
  • Leaves are alternate, 1-4 in. long, with slightly toothed edges, and have 5 to 8 pairs of parallel leaf veins. 
  • Young branches have downy-gray hair, maturing to dark grayish-brown; lack thorns. 
  • Flowers are greenish-yellow, with five sepals and no petals. 
  • Fruit (drupes) ripen to a bluish-black and contain 3 seeds. Photos: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

 

Celestine Duncan contributed to this article.

Techline Invasive Plant News

Sharing innovative research, success stories and tips with invasive plant managers.

Subscribe

Recent Articles