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Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) ID Leaves, Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, www.bugwood.org

Glossy Buckthorn

COMMON NAME:

Glossy buckthorn

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Frangula alnus

ORIGIN:

Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia

DESCRIPTION:

Glossy buckthorn is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, that can grow up to 30 ft in height. Bark is dark gray to brown with white lenticels. Leaves are shiny with prominent, even venation stretching towards leaf margins. Flower in the spring (pale yellow) and produces dark purple berries. Common buckthorn is a similar species.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Glossy buckthorn will establish in a wide-range of habitats including forests, forest edges, open fields and riparian areas, and will tolerate dry to wet soils. Glossy buckthorn is most often found in areas wetter to those frequented by common buckthorn.

THREAT:

Glossy buckthorns grow rapidly and are prolific seed producers. They leaf out early in the spring and retain their leaves longer than many native plants. They grow into dense thickets, displacing native under-story plants and shading tree seedlings. Leaves are quick to decompose, altering soil composition and pH. Invasive shrubs, including glossy buckthorn, have been shown to decrease insect diversity and biomass, and have additional negative impacts on native bird species including malnutrition (due to the poor nutritional value of berries) and increased nest predation (due to the high density of shrubs).

MANAGEMENT:

Management options for buckthorn may include manual, mechanical and chemical removal. Seedlings and smaller shrubs may be hand-pulled or dug out. Large infestation can be mowed using a forestry mower, in preparation for foliar chemical treatments. Effective herbicide treatments include foliar, basal bark, and cut-stump. Follow-up treatment will likely be required. glossy buckthorn are prolific seed producers and tend to re-establish via the seedbank after herbicide treatment. Different herbicides can be more or less effective, depending on timing of application.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Tier 4 - Local Control

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

WNY PRISM Best Management Practices for Invasive Shrubs

Native Landscape Alternatives -
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
- American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

Glossy buckthorn is a prohibited species in New York State - for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

Glossy buckthorn was introduced as an ornamental plant and was widely planted across the landscape. It spreads primarily by seed that is transported by birds and humans.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Widespread

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.