It is native to Europe, northernmost Africa, and western Asia, from Ireland and Great Britain north to the 68th parallel in Scandinavia, east to central Siberia and Xinjiang in western China, and south to northern Morocco, Turkey, and the Alborz in Iran and the Caucasus Mountains; in the northwest of its range (Ireland, Scotland), it is rare and scattered.

The genus name Frangula, from Latin frango "to break", refers to the brittle wood.

[6][12][9] Frangula alnus is one of just two food plants (the other being Rhamnus cathartica) used by the common brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni).

The flowers are valuable for bees, and the fruit an important food source for birds, particularly thrushes.

[16] It tends to grow more densely and with larger individuals in lower topographical areas with moist, fertile soils, and is very problematic for land managers.

[18] Although considered an invasive species in North America, In other places, such as Northern Ireland, Frangula alnus has suffered greatly from habitat loss.

[23] Frangula alnus and the related species Rhamnus cathartica have been banned from sale, transport, or import to Minnesota[24] and Illinois.

[26] Alder buckthorn has limited decorative qualities without conspicuous flowers or bold foliage, and is mainly grown for its conservation value, particularly to attract Brimstone butterflies.

[27] Galen, a Greek physician of the 2nd century A.D., knew of alder buckthorn, although he did not distinguish clearly in his writings between it and other closely related species.

[citation needed] The bark (and to a lesser extent the fruit) has been used as a laxative, due to its 3–7% anthraquinone content.

[4][27] Alder buckthorn charcoal is prized in the manufacture of gunpowder, being regarded as the best wood for the purpose.