Rhamnus alnifolia

Rhamnus alnifolia is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by the common names alderleaf buckthorn, or alder buckthorn. Unlike other "buckthorns", this alder buckthorn does not have thorns. It is native to North America, and can be found in forested habitat.

Description

Rhamnus alnifolia is a spreading shrub usually tall, rarely to, its thin branches bearing deciduous leaves. The thin, deeply veined leaves have oval blades long, pointed at the tip and lightly toothed along the edges. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or umbel of up to three flowers occurring in leaf axils. The tiny flowers are about wide and have five green sepals but no petals. Female flowers produce drupes wide, each containing three seeds. The drupes darken to black when ripe.

Distribution and habitat

It can be found in the southern half of Canada and the northern half of the United States, mostly in the Pacific Northwest. It grows in streambanks and on humid flats near mountains.

Uses

The berry is inedible. Native Americans used the species as a laxative.