glossy privet

Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance: Ligustrum lucidum is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 40 ft. (12.2 m) in height. The trunks usually occur as multiple stems with many long, leafy branches.
Foliage: Leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, 3-6 in. (5-15.2 cm) long and 2-4 in. (5-10.2 cm) wide.
Flowers: Flowering occurs in late spring to late summer, when very abundant, white flowers develop at the end of branches in 5-8 in. (12.7-20 cm) long clusters.
Fruit: Fruits are <0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long, oval, fleshy and ripen to a dark blue to black color. Fruits persist into winter.
Ecological Threat: Several privet species occur and they are often very hard to distinguish. Ligustrum lucidum resembles Japanese privet (L. japonicum Thunb.), but the leaves of Japanese privet are shorter (2 in. [5.1 cm] long) and thicker. Ligustrum lucidum commonly forms dense thickets in fields or in the understory of forests. It shades and out-competes many native species, and once established, is very difficult to remove. It is commonly used as an ornamental shrub and for hedgerows.

Resources

Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Foliage on left compared to Chinese privet on right
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
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Foliage June
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Twig(s)/Shoot(s) October
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Bark June
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) December
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s) June
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) June
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Tree(s) not blooming March, 2011
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Foliage not blooming, March 2011
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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