alder buckthornn.
/ˈɔːldə ˈbʌkθɔːn/, /ˈɒldə ˈbʌkθɔːn/, U.S. /ˈɔldər ˈbəkˌθɔrn/, /ˈɑldər ˈbəkˌθɔrn/ A Eurasian shrub or small tree, Frangula alnus (family Rhamnaceae), with roundish glossy leaves and black berries, frequently growing in wet ground along with common alder. Occasionally also applied to other similar plants of the genus Frangula.
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the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > tree or shrub groups > birch and allies > [noun] > alder and allies
aldereOE
alderna1325
prick tree1551
black alder1578
aln1589
sporkenwood1599
alder1648
alder buckthorn?1742
orl1747
alder1755
arn1791
Turkey alder1822
Oregon alder1842
berry alder1863
tag alder1891
?1742 H. Glasse Compleat Confectioner 128 They [sc. buckthorns] may be known by the number of seeds; the genuine buckthorn having four; the alder buckthorn has only two.
1837 B. H. Barton & T. Castle Brit. Flora Medica I. xxxi. 112 Both the common and the Alder Buckthorn are frequently employed in veterinary practice as brisk purgatives for cattle.
1878 Gardener’s Monthly Apr. 110/2 He had observed that the young robins would alight on the Alder Buckthorn (Frangula Caroliniana) and eat the berries until they were very sick.
1908 Garden Mag. Aug. 11/2 The alder buckthorn (Rhamnus Frangula) is attractive with its numerous berries changing from red to glossy black among the shining foliage.
1966 Jrnl. Ecol. 54 143 The scrub, which generally forms a closed canopy, usually contains a minority of other species, e.g...rowan (Sorbus acuparia), alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), [etc.].
2011 Times (Nexis) 1 Mar. (Features section) 26 Alder buckthorn is not a very well-known tree, but it is quite common in the carr, or marshy woodland, found at the edge of lakes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.?1742