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Alder-Leaved Buckthorn, Rhamnus alnifolia L’Her
Rhamnaceae

Height: An ascending or spreading shrub up to 1 m high.

Twigs: Smooth and greenish at first but reddish later.

Buds: Covered with several dark, shiny, scales.

Leaves: Alternate, oval or elliptical, fine toothed, 5-8 cm long, smooth on both surfaces, shiny dark green above and paler beneath. The veins tend to follow the leaf margins.

Flowers: Small and greenish, about 3 mm across, on short stalks, and clustered or solitary in the leaf axils. Each flower may have a pistil and stamens or the pistil and stamens may be in different flowers, in which case they may be on the same plant or different plants. There are 5 sepals and 5 stamens. Blooms from mid June to mid July.

Habitat: Wet coniferous woods and thickets, dry and wet peaty places, and on rocky slopes. Recorded from the West Coast, the Great Northern Peninsula, and central areas east of Gander.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995

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