Alder buckthorn Frangula alnus

Features

Shrub. Up to 5 m high. Habitat - swamps, moist forests.

Species	Scrubs (Nanofanerophytes)
Living space	Lake, Pond, River edge, Swamp, Wet site
Size	up to 5 m

Description

The branches of the alder buckthorn are without thorns. The oval leaf surface of the petioles is entire. It is 2 to 5 cm long. 7 to 9 pairs of lateral veins are clearly visible on it, which stand out markedly on the underside of the leaf. Its greenish-white five-petalled flowers are tiny. Up to four flowers develop in the leaf foliage on stalks up to 12 mm long. At first the green round fruits later turn red, and the ripe berries are black. It is poisonous, but due to its healing properties, it has nevertheless been used to relieve gastrointestinal and circulatory problems. It was also used to make charcoal. It is a common and widespread plant in Slovenia.