Many are purgative. The generic name is based on the Greek name Rhamnos used for some of the species. Glossy buckthorn was described by Linnaeus in 1753. Frangula alnus Miller. In Canada, it is known mainly from southern Ontario but also occurs in Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Manitoba.
Solid circles represent individual or local occurrences.
Biology Glossy buckthorn is a shrub or small tree that produces small dark fruits, each containing two to three seeds. Glossy buckthorn occurs in a range of wetland communities including fens, marshes, and bogs. Present Status and Potential Threat Glossy buckthorn presently occurs in a limited portion of Canada and appears to be seriously invasive in only part of its limited range. This method is of course very labour-intensive and probably suitable only for small and highly significant sites. The majority of the respondents to the survey rated glossy buckthorn as a severe to moderate problem of a local nature which is spreading.