Tall-glossy Privet Ligustrum lucidum

This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered.  Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.

Glossy privet is an open, leggy, large shrub or small tree in the Oleaceae (olive) family that can grow up to 50' tall.

This shrub is drought-tolerant, is often used as a screening plant, and tolerates severe pruning. It is also tolerant of drought, dry conditions, and alkaline soils. It is not as cold-hardy as Ligustrum japonicum. 

This plant blooms in late spring to early summer, 2-3 weeks later than Ligustrum japonicum. Flowers are very pungent and may induce asthma in some people.  Fruits are enjoyed by birds and add to the spread of the plant so prune off flowers before they set fruit.

Quick ID Hints:

• Leaves are opposite with an opaque rim along margins
• 6-8 lateral veins sunken on the undersurface
• Terminal panicles with persistent dark fruit

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whiteflies, Japanese and ligustrum weevils, white peach scale, and privet rust mites are common insect problems.  Anthracnose, twig blight, cankers, powdery mildew, root rot are common disease problems.  Susceptible to copper deficiency.  It can be weedy in disturbed areas has escaped and naturalized in moist areas and it is considered invasive in California and Florida.  The berries produced by this plant are toxic. Dogs can be adversely affected by eating the berries or leaves of privet.