Rhamnus frangula
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Rhamnus frangula

trollhegg
alder buckthorn

  family rhamnaceae 
  genus rhamnus 

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Identification
Genus  Rhamnus Species  frangula Variety  Cultivar  Common names  trollhegg   alder buckthorn Family  RHAMNACEAE Specimen number  S10527 Data source  DyePl p68;MedPl p259;Xeri p303
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Woody perennial Life span  5 - 20 years Annual cycle  Deciduous Stature  Shrub Growth form  Various Growth habit  Not applicable Overall height  10' - 18' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun to partial shade Water  Dry Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Various USDA hardiness  USDA zones 03a-09b AHS heat zones  Not classified Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  The bark of Rhamnus frangula has been used in traditional fabric dyeing. Bronze brown is the most typical color produced by Alder buckthorn. Rhamnus frangula is known as trollhegg in Norwegian. Buckthorn is used in Norway for dyeing. This plant can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -40� Fahrenheit. Full sun to partial shade is best for growing this species. It usually does best in dry soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  laxative   cathartic Medicinal parts  Bark Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  The berries are toxic; the fresh bark is highly purgative. Medicinal notes  Rhamnus frangula has been used in traditional herbal healing as either a laxative or a cathartic. Other species with the same medicinal qualities include Rhamnus purshiana. Herbal remedies are only prepared from the bark. The berries are toxic; the fresh bark is highly purgative.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Bark Dye color  bronze brown
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Rhamnus frangula most likely originates from Norway.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Rhamnus frangula is a woody perennial. Alder buckthorn is deciduous in nature.

Page 4020 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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