privet

Ligustrum spp. L.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance

Ligustrum spp. are deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen shrubs and small trees in the Oleaceae (olive family). There are approximately 50 Ligustrum species that are native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Ligustrum spp. have been cultivated and developed into several horticultural varieties, and were introduced to North America as a common hedge in landscaping. Some Ligustrum spp. can grow to 5 m tall and have a stem diameter of 2.5-25 cm. Ligustrum spp. bark is whitish-tan to gray in color and smooth in texture. Slender twigs are straight, rounded or four-angled below the nodes, and gray-green in color. Winter buds are ovoid with two outer scales. Terminal buds are present.

Foliage

The simple leaves are elliptic to ovate in shape, oppositely arranged on slender twigs, often leathery and thick. The leaf margins are smooth and entire.

Flowers

Flowers have both male and female parts, and the corollas are white. The calyx is small, obconic or campanulate, and 4-toothed. Each flower has petals that are fused into a tube below with four separate lobes above. Flowers are borne on small panicles terminating the main axis and on short lateral branches. Bloom time is usually June-July.

Fruit

The fruit is a subglobose or ovoid drupe containing 1-4 seeds. Fruit clusters generally ripen during September and October and persist through the winter. Mature specimens can produce hundreds of fruit.

Ecological Threat

Ligustrum spp. can easily escape cultivation to invade adjacent areas and can form dense monospecific thickets. Several Ligustrum species have become common invaders of cultivated landscapes, disturbed areas and wildlands throughout the U.S.

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Foliage Ligustrum lucidum (left) and Ligustrum sinense (right). October. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. Miller and K.V. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society.
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
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Foliage comparison of Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)(top) and Glossy Privet (Ligustrum lucidum)
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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Fruit(s) foliage
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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