Ligustrum japonicum
Common Name(s):
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Japanese privet is a large evergreen that grows rapidly in sun to partial shade. Drought and salt spray tolerant, it can tolerate being pruned heavily and growing in a range of soil conditions (except constantly wet).
Japanese privet is weedy in disturbed areas around buildings and has escaped and naturalized in moist areas. It works in the landscape as an evergreen ornamental shrub, however, it does not work well as a foundation plant.
Listed as invasive in North Carolina by:
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
- North Carolina Forest Service
- North Carolina Invasive Plant Council
- North Carolina Native Plant Society, "Significant Threat"
- NC State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
Not listed as invasive in North Carolina by:
- NC State Weed Specialist, listed as "Moderately Weedy"
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Coriaceum'
- 'Rotundifolium'
3-4 ft. by 3 ft., stiffly upright with curly, whorled leaves - 'Silver Star'
- 'Coriaceum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Coriaceum'
- 'Rotundifolium'
3-4 ft. by 3 ft., stiffly upright with curly, whorled leaves - 'Silver Star'
- 'Coriaceum'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ligustrum
- Species:
- japonicum
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruit attracts birds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 0.2 in. flat black drupe
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Creamy white flowers on 2 to 6 in. pyramidal panicles in late spring, unpleasant odor
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite, simple, leathery dark green leaves; 2 to 4 in. long
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy
-
-
Poison:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, low blood pressure, cold and clammy skin possibly lasting 48 to 72 hours
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glycosides: syringin (ligustrin), a glycoside; shikimic acid (lowest toxic dose 4,000mg); and others
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Similar plants:
-
Mahonia bealei
-
Taxodium distichum
-
Elaeagnus pungens
