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Ligustrum sinense

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
lig-GUS-trum sy-NEN-say
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

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

Chinese privet is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub in the olive family (Oleaceae) and is native to Asia. It was introduced to this country in 1852 as an ornamental but has become invasive, especially in the eastern and southern USA.

This shrub can grow 6-15 feet tall and wide and tolerates various soils. it prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. This aggressive shrub is capable of overtaking native plants and becoming a monoculture. It produces many seeds and also spreads by suckers creating thickets. Once established, it is very difficult to eradicate.

This plant flowers in the late spring and its malodorous flowers are offensive to many people. The purple drupes that follow are eaten by birds and mammals further helping to spread the seeds.

Please choose native shrubs over privets.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Opposite, elliptic, small leaves are 1 to 2 inches long. 

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 and root rot are common disease problems. It is considered invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and the US Dept. of Agriculture.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Sunshine', 'Swift Creek', 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#invasive#poisonous#white flowers#high maintenance#air pollution tolerant#fast growing#aggressive#deer resistant#naturalizes#alkaline soils tolerant#fantz#poor soils tolerant#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Sunshine', 'Swift Creek', 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#invasive#poisonous#white flowers#high maintenance#air pollution tolerant#fast growing#aggressive#deer resistant#naturalizes#alkaline soils tolerant#fantz#poor soils tolerant#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ligustrum
    Species:
    sinense
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eurasia
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds are attracted to the fruit.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Chinese privet is resistant to damage by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 6 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are clusters of black, semi-fleshy, berry-like drupes that birds like to eat.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Creamy white fetid flowers are less than an inch large on 2-3" terminal panicles. Clusters also occur in the upper leaf axils. Flowers bloom in the late spring and have an unpleasant odor.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, entire, not coriaceous, glossy, and dark green in color. They grow 1-3" long. Hairs are present on the undersides along the midvein, petioles are hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are pubescent with gray-yellow coloration.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Invasive Species
    Malodorous
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    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