WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread and fairly frequent throughout England, South West N. Ireland, and South and East Wales; but is absent from the Humber and far South West. Elsewhere it is rare. Habitat includes: scrub, hedgerows, woodland (usually as an under shrub in Beech and Oak), fen-carr, damp Alder woods etc. Growing habit: Dioecious, Deciduous Perennial. Height: Up to 10 m Flowers: May to June. Reproduction: by seed. It also regenerates from cut stools and after grazing or burning. Other names include: Common Buckthorn, European Buckthorn, Purging Buckthorn (Named after the laxative effects its berries induce when eaten). It has declined in Western Britain.