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Dave,
In my readings on the buckthorns the fruit is generally described as being
poisonous. To those bird species that are immune to its toxins (and I
believe that there are more such species than previously thought) it appears
to act as a laxative, presumably assisting in spreading its seeds more
liberally through the environment. I don't know how the fermentation process
in winemaking would affect the toxins in the berries but I would not be
inclined to find out. I can, however, attest to the fact that it is great
material for bonfires!
George
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Wolford [mailto:jimwolford@eastlink.ca]
Sent: September 20, 2006 10:58 AM
To: NatureNS; George & Margaret Alliston; Ruth Newell; Marian Munro; Alex
Wilson; Melanie Priesnitz; Laurel McIvor
Subject: more on buckthorn
Dave, your description of the aggressiveness of how aggressive Rhamnus
frangula is near Kentville also fits the Wolfville area very well indeed.
Just ask George Alliston about his least-favourite plant, whereever he is
trying to re-establish more natural plant communities.
Probably the prime example of buckthorn aggression can be found north of
Skyway Drive along the Acadia Woodland Trails (south of the Irving Centre).
We also have a fair amount of Rhamnus cathartica in Wolfville, but it seems
to be much less aggressive. I am unfamiliar with R. alnifolia.
I don't know anything about edibility or other uses of the berries, which
are incredibly abundant in R. frangula, but I wonder how important the
fruits have become for wildlife?
Cheers from Jim in Wolfville
----------
From: David & Alison Webster <dwebster@glinx.com>
Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:53:49 -0300
To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Buckthorn
Dear All, Sept 19, 2006
Does anyone have direct experience with Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
fruit ?
It took a while to get rolling, 300 years more or less, but near
Kentville it apparently now knows how introduced plants are supposed to
act and is very agressive in waste places, glades, clear-cuts and edges.
An extract of the bark (Frangula, which contains frangulin) was at
one time used as a laxative but I have no definite information on the
fruit. I have recently eaten one fruit, less seeds and skin, on each of
two occasions with no effects. A handfull might be a different matter
but the warning about R. alnifolia that 'Them is terrible things for the
guts' indicates caution. They were fairly sweet and juicy but without
obvious flavor.
I wonder if they could be used for wine.
Yours truly, Dave Webster, Kentville
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