(Glossy Buckthorn / Frangula alnus)
Glossy buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree introduced from Europe that has become invasive across much of the eastern and upper Midwestern United States. It thrives in forests, wetlands, and disturbed areas, where it leafs out early and holds leaves late into fall, giving it a competitive advantage over native plants. Its seeds are widely spread by birds, leading to dense infestations that reduce native plant diversity and alter habitat structure.
USDA Plants Database: Buckthorn