Glossy
buckthorn is a native of Eurasia and North Africa and was introduced
to North America prior to the 1900s but did not become naturalized
and widespread until the early 1900s (Haber,
1997). Glossy buckthorn appears to establish on a variety
of soils but typically inhabits wetter, less shaded and more acidic
soils than common buckthorn (Coverse, 1984).
Glossy buckthorn invades wet prairies, marshes, calcareous fens,
sedge meadows, sphagnum bogs and tamarack swamps. It can
form extensive populations and exclude native plants, particularly
herbaceous species (Possessky et al. 2000;
Taft & Solecki, 1990).
Glossy buckthorn has been cultivated for hedges, forestry planting
and as wildlife habitat. Cultivars "Columinaris' (Tallhedge
buckthorn) and 'Asplenifolia' (Fernleaf buckthorn) are cultured
because of their upright and narrow plant habit and lacy, fine-textured
foliage (Dirr, 1998). Both cultivars
are marketed throughout most of the eastern and central United
States.
Flowers are bisexual and primarily cross-pollinated; self-pollination
may be limited because the anthers mature before the pistils are
receptive (Medan, 1994). Pollen
appears to be transported by insects, primarily flies (Medan,
1994). Mature plants are estimated to produce 430-1560
potential offspring each year (Medan, 1994).
Birds are attracted to the fruit of glossy buckthorn and are believed
to be the primary dispersal agent for its seeds (Kollmann
& Pirl, 1995; Catling and Porebsky, 1994). Plant
demographic information (germination, seedling survival, etc.)
has not been published for this species.
Glossy buckthorn is an alternate host to the crown rust fungi
that attack oats (Ginns, 1986)
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