Frangula alnus Mill.

Shrubs or small trees, 2–5(–7) m. Stems greenish to brown, sparsely puberulent, glabrescent. Leaves deciduous; petiole 10–19 mm; blade dull green abaxially, glossy darker green adaxially, broadly elliptic-obovate to broadly elliptic or broadly oblong, 4–7(–11) cm, herbaceous, base cuneate to rounded, margins entire, apex rounded to acute or abruptly short-acuminate, abaxial surface sometimes minutely strigose along midveins, adaxial surface glabrous; secondary veins 6–10 pairs. Inflorescences fascicles, sessile, 1–8-flowered. Pedicels 3–10 mm. Stigmas 2–3-lobed. Drupes black, globose or slightly elongate, 6–8 mm; stones 2(–3). 2n = 20–26.

Swamps and damp places, usually on moist heaths and damp open woods, preferring a peaty soil; at elevations up to 1,300 metres.

The fruit is eaten fresh. The bark is used to make alcohol. Caution.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.