Frangula alnus
Frangula alnus
Safety & Hazards
The plant is poisonous unless stored for 12 months before use[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. , 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. , 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ]. This report is probably referring to the bark. Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging.
Botanical Description
Frangula alnus is a tall deciduous shrub or small tree with an erect, slender habit; it usually grows around 4 - 5 metres tall but occasionally reaches 7 metres[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. The plant was at one time frequently cultivated as a source of wood for making charcoal and for its medicinal bark, though now it is restricted mainly to wild collection for more local use. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, and is often grown for making native hedges and shelterbelts[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. Frangula alnus has an exceptionally large range, occurring in many European, west Asian, Middle-Eastern, and Northern African countries. It does not appear to be in decline from any threatening processes at present, except in Northern Ireland and in the outermost parts of its range in Spain. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The species was introduced to North America before 1800 and has since escaped from cultivation in many areas and become established in the wild. Once established, Frangula alnus shades out native understorey plants and it maintains itself through its prolific seed production, vigorous growth over an extended growing season and its ability to regenerate following burning and cutting. These aggressive characteristics make it difficult to eradicate, especially in wetlands[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. , 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ].