Ligustrum vulgare L.

Privet, common privet

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

7/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s ID is uncertain

2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 2½ × 2½" (6.9 × 7 cm) ID is uncertain

2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 5 × 5" (12 × 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

7/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s ID is uncertain

7/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s ID is uncertain

3/17/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, End, Phoenix, Mary­land
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

7/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s ID is uncertain

7/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 4-7:

About this map...