Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

glossy privet

Ligustrum lucidum

W.T. Aiton

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Shrub

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): tree privet

Family: Oleaceae (Olive Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Foliage

James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society

Foliage

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Twig/Shoot

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Bark

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Fruit

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Flower

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Plant

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Foliage

Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia

Foliage

Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia

Tree

Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia

Foliage

Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia

Seed

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Description

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.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Ornamental, Wax insects

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Ligustrum
Subject: Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton

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