The Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)
	Family Description	The flowering plants in this family are trees or shrubs with simple leaves. The petals are green and are usually really small, or even completely absent. All of them have a berry as a fruit.
	Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus	Alder Buckthorn grows into a shrub or small tree, up to 5 metres high. The leaves are similar to the Alder tree, hence the "Alder" part of the name. However, it is not closely related to the Alder tree. A long time ago, Alder Buckthorn was grown in Sussex and Kent, to be used to make charcoal and fast-burning gunpowder.
	Habitat	Damp woods, hedgerows, heaths and at the edge of wetlands.
	Special features	The flowers are green and have a smooth-edge. The leaves are oval and shiny green and hairy beneath when young.
	Reproduction	Each flower contains both male and female parts. Various insects, especially bees, pollinate the Alder Buckthorn. The berry is greenish at first, but then turns red and finally black.
	Distribution	Seasonal Flowers appear from May to July. Geographical Abundant in England and Wales, but not in Scotland. It is rare in Ireland.
	Fun Fact	Despite its name, the Alder Buckthorn does not have any thorns!