Practical
Plants

Rhamnus frangula

Alder Buckthorn

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Rhamnus genus in the family Rhamnaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rhamnus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
5 m
Spread
4 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is poisonous unless stored for 12 months before use[17][11][21]. This report is probably referring to the bark.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Alder buckthorn has been used medicinally as a gentle laxative since at least the Middle Ages[15]. The bark contains 3 - 7% anthraquinones, these act on the wall of the colon stimulating a bowel movement approximately 8 - 12 hours after ingestion[16]. It is so gentle and effective a treatment when prescribed in the correct dosages that it is completely safe to use for children and pregnant women[15]. The bark also contains anthrones and anthranols, these induce vomiting but the severity of their effect is greatly reduced after the bark has been dried and stored for a long time[16]. The bark is harvested in early summer from the young trunk and moderately sized branches, it must then be dried and stored for at least 12 months before being used[17][14] The inner bark is cathartic, cholagogue, laxative (the fresh bark is violently purgative), tonic, vermifuge[17][22][6][13][7]. It is taken internally as a laxative for chronic atonic constipation and is also used to treat abdominal bloating, hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, and liver and gall bladder complaints[14]. It should be used with caution since excess doses or using the bark before it is cured can cause violent purging[22][13]. Externally, the bark is used to treat gum diseases and scalp infestations[14], or as a lotion for minor skin irritations[15]. The fruit is occasionally used, it is aperient without being irritating[17].

Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and bark[17][5]. It is much used in Russia and turns black when mixed with salts of iron[17]. A green dye is obtained from the unripe fruit[17][5]. A blue or grey dye is obtained from the ripe berries[17][5]. Plants can be grown as an informal (untrimmed) hedge, though they are also amenable to trimming[12]. The cultivar 'Tallhedge (syn 'Columnaris') is very suitable for this purpose[12]. The wood is used to make wooden nails, shoe lasts, veneer etc[18][20]. It is the source of a high quality charcoal that is used by artists[17][3][6][8][2][5][9][10].

Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Nails
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, the Urals and Siberia.
Habitat
Swamps and damp places, usually on moist heaths and damp open woods, preferring a peaty soil[22][8][13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification at about 5° and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed[12]. Germination is usually good, at least 80% by late spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[4]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring[17].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any reasonably good soil[3][23], preferring neutral to acid conditions[14]. It grows well on damp or peaty soils[23]. Prefers a moist moderately fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[12]. Grows well in wet soils but not if they are water-logged[10]. Dislikes drought or exposure to strong winds[10]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[14]. Alder buckthorn is a slow-growing plant, though it coppices well. It was at one time often grown for its wood which was used in making charcoal[10]. The plants regenerate well after forest fires or grazing[10]. Plants flower on one-year old wood and also on the current year's growth[17]. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in S. Europe[19]. Often bears the aecidospore stage of 'crown rust' of oats[1]. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[12]. A good bee plant[17] and a main food plant for the larvae of the yellow brimstone butterfly[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  5. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2

  7. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  10. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

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  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  19. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  20. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  21. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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  22. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩1↩2

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