class
Saturday, March 14, 2026
BOT5153 Introduction to Buckthorns
Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) are the best-known buckthorns in New England, renowned for their invasiveness. Both shrub species are native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia.When did they arrive in North America? What is their status and ecology in their home ranges? How did they become so rampant in many habitats in New England, and what can be done to manage them? Join longtime instructor Ted Elliman to discuss these two species and the region’s third, less well known member of the group, alder-leaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), an uncommon native shrub species that inhabits rich fen communities. Explore the morphological distinctions between Frangula and Rhamnus, and take a quick look at other buckthorns—native and non-native—in the United States.
| Date/time details | Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10-11:30 AM |
|---|---|
| Location | Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA |
| Subject | Botany & Conservation |
| Fee | $50 |
| Instructor | Ted Elliman |
| Certificate | Elective: Basic or Advanced, Botany |