Glossy Buckthorn
Frangula alnus · Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple deciduous leaf
Shape
Elliptic to obovate without lobes
Margin
Entire to very finely wavy margin
Arrangement
Alternate leaf arrangement along dark twigs
Venation
Pinnate venation with several pairs of prominent parallel veins
Key Features
Alternate, elliptic, entire leaves with strongly parallel pinnate veins and glossy surfaces.
Description
A large deciduous shrub or small tree with smooth dark bark, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers, and small spherical fruits transitioning from red to black.
Habitat
Thrives in moist to wet soils in open woods, wetlands, and disturbed fields in full sun to partial shade.
Native Range
Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa; widely naturalized in North America.
Identified on 10/15/2026