Alderleaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus alnifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States, Virgin Islands
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus:
- Rhamnus
- Species:
- Rhamnus alnifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- RHAL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ancylis brauni, Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: For seeds, cold moist stratification for 90-150 days. For cuttings, 17 cm in length, taken in late June, treated with 8000 ppm Hormex rooting powder and struck in sand media under mist with bottom heat for 7 weeks.
Establishment: Seeds are collected when mature fruits turn black in September. Cuttings are collected in late June. The plant is found from British Columbia east to Quebec and Maine and south to California, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
Source: npn.rngr.net