Flower ID: IMG_1767.JPG-06-08-2019 Flower name (scientific): Frangula alnus Miller PY: 1768. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) FRANG-gew-la AL-nus Flower name (common): Glossy Buckthorn Family name (common): Buckthorn Family name (scientific): Rhamnaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin frango, meaning to break, referencing the brittle twigs. Specific epithet: The ancient Latin name for the alder. Common name origin: Glossy from the appearance of the leaves. Buckthorn is a combination of buck plus thorn. The spiny branches assumed to resemble antlers, and some species (but not F. alnus) have thorns present. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (0.3 to 0.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 144 to 240 inches (3.7 to 6.1 m) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves 2 to 8 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, broadly elliptic-obovate to broadly elliptic or broadly oblong (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced, invasive/Restricted in Wisconsin Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodlands, sun or shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The simplest way to distinguish Frangula alnus (Glossy Buckthorn) from Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica is by the leaves: F. alnus has shiny toothless leaves, whereas R. cathartica has leaves with small rounded teeth. The flowers of R. cathartica are four-parted, those of F. alnus are five-parted. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.799600 Longitude: -91.481762 Altitude: 250.60 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VT, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Rhamnus frangula Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 193. 1753. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Frangula alnus subsp. alnus (The other infraspecifics are Frangula alnus subsp. baetica (Willk. & E.Rev.) Rivas Goday ex Devesa, Frangula alnus subsp. pontica (Boissier) P. H. Davis & Yalt. Neither of these two subspecies have been recorded in North America.)