Ligustrum vulgare L.
Privet, common privet
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Asteridae A large class that encompasses asters
Order Lamiales Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
Family Oleaceae Temperate climate shrubs, trees and a few vines, include forsythia, ash, jasmine, privet, olive, lilac, and many others
Genus Ligustrum A Latin name for the privet plant
Species vulgare Latin for “common”
About plant names...
Common privet is a shrub native to northern Europe, the Mediterranean region,
northern Africa, and Asia Minor. It is naturalized in North America, and, in many areas,
considered an invasive species. They are often used as hedges. They appear in open
woods, and are often found near the ocean. They prefer calcerous (e.g. limestone) soils.
Plants: Shrubs are evergreen, and reach heights of 10-15′ (3-4.6 m), and
nearly the same width.
Leaves: Opposite , oblong to lanceolate , ⅞-2″ (2.5-6 cm) ×
⅛-½″ (5-15 mm), with smooth edges.
Flowers: White or cream-colored panicles of flowers, 1-3″ (2.5-7.6 cm) long, appear in Apr-Jun.
Fuits: Berries are rounded, often copious, ¼-½″ (8-13 mm) around, and ripen from green to dark purple or black.
Edibility: Poisonous . Leaves and berries are mildly poisonous if ingested. The pollen triggers allergies in some people.
Online References:
Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
The Missouri Botanical Garden
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
Plants.ces.ncsu.edu
Www.texasinvasives.org
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland ID is uncertain
2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) ID is uncertain
2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
Ligustrum vulgare description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
12/4/2005 · Memphis, Tennessee · By Tim Chandler
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland ID is uncertain
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland ID is uncertain
3/17/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, End, Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland ID is uncertain
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland ID is uncertain
Range: Zones 4-7:
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