Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Account for Glossy Buckthorn - Frangula alnus   P. Miller
Members of Rhamnaceae:
Members of Frangula with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 6 » Order Rhamnales » Family Rhamnaceae
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AuthorP. Miller
DistributionA single collection from Watauga County in 2010: in woods near residence, Michael Denslow 2659 (NCU, WCUH).

Native of Europe; in N.A. across most of southern Canada and northern U.S., south to NC and CO.
AbundanceVery rare. A single plant was seen, 4.5 meters tall. An invasive weed in the Northeast that replaces native plants.
HabitatMontane woodland.
PhenologyFlowering May-June. Fruiting July-September.
IdentificationA small tree or tall shrub, stems brown to greenish. Leaves are elliptical to oblong, 1.5-3 inches long, with strongly parallel veins (looking indeed like an alder leaf). Flowers are tiny, on skinny stalks; fruits blue-black, rather rotund.
Taxonomic CommentsA synonym is Rhamnus frangula.

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State RankSE
Global RankGNR
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