Taxonomy
Frangula alnus | Alder Buckthorn | Draighean fearna
Distribution
Status
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Flowers: May – June; clusters of small greenish-white flowers
Fruits: Black berries when ripe
Twigs & bark: Twigs grey/brown, hairy; bark reddish/greenish
brown with white dots (lenticels). Often growing horizontal
Habitat
Fen edges, raised bogs, heaths and
damp scrub/woods. Prefers acid conditions, mostly lowland
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Very rare
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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Further information
Favoured food plant for Brimstone butterfly caterpillars; used in the past for charcoal-making