Other common names:
Dwarf Alder, Dwarf Alder French names:
Nerprun à feuilles d'aulne Family: Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae) Group: Buckthorns Distinctive features: Shrub; Wet areas. Similar species: • Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) - grows in drier places. • Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) - this species also grows in wetlands, but not as wet. • Green Alder (Alnus viridis) • Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
• European Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Flowers: Spring, Summer; Green/Brown; 5 parts (petals) Leaves: Alternate; Glossy. Alternate. Height:
Up to 1 m (3 ft) Fruit/Seeds:
Dark berries. Not edible. Habitat: Wet Areas; Wet areas. Widespread throughout Ontario. Books: Shrubs of Ontario: 307 Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 310 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Common in wet areas.
Notes:
This is our native buckthorn. It may be hard to identify, as there are several other similar shrubs which grow in wet areas alongside it.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: alnifolia: alder-leaved Photographs:
110 photographs available, of which 8 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
Alder-leaved Buckthorn doesn't grow very big - they are usually less than 3 feet tall. Here's a clump of them.
Alder-leaved Buckthorn likes to grow in wet areas. Here's one on the edge of a pond.
The general growth form of this shrub.
Upper side of a leaf. Note its glossy sheen.
Underside of the same leaf. Also glossy.
The stipules at the base of the petioles, which are a diagnostic feature of this plant.
The "stipules" are those tiny things sticking out at the base of the leaf stalk (petiole).
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
