Alder-leaved Buckthorn

Alder-leaved Buckthorn

Alder-leaved Buckthorn Rhamnus alnifolia is a low-growing shrub that likes sphagnum bogs and other such wet swampy areas. It has simple leaves of a pointed oval shape that have toothed margins and are arranged alternately. The specific name "alnifolia" refers to the similarity of the leaf to the Alder leaf as Alder is of the genus Alnus and "folium" is the Latin word for "leaf". Individual plants are either male or female and the yellowish-green flowers grow in small clusters. The fruits are dark purple berries. [CH] {SH}