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Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

Ligustrum japonicum


Japanese privet

Synonym(s):
Family: Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Shrub


Photographer: J. Scott Peterson
Source: USDA NRCS, Bugwood.org

Description

Evergreen shrub or small tree. Escaping from cultivation and established in fencerows, abandoned pastures, and low woodlands. Twigs greenish brown to gray, without hairs but with raised, corky dots (lenticels). Leaves opposite, petioled; blade firm textured, ovate to elliptic, up to 4 1/2 inches long and 2 inches wide pointed at the tip, and with smooth margins, upper surface dark green, smooth, glossy; lower surface lighter with a prominent, yellow, main vein. Flowers white, about 1/4 inch wide, petals bent back, in broad, dense clusters up to 8 inches long. Fruit berrylike, dark blue, 5/16 inch long and 1/4 inch wide, hanging on into winter.

Ecological Threat: Other species in the genus are also problematic. All are evergreen: L. sinense, Chinese privet (12ft.); L. quihuoi, Wax-leaf ligustrum (6ft.); and L. lucidum, Glossy privet (35-40ft.).

Biology & Spread:

History:

U.S. Habitat: Single plants or thicket-forming, occurring in the same habitats as Chinese privet, but generally not as abundant, depending upon location. Invade both lowland and upland habitats, but usually more prevalent in lowlands. Shade tolerant. Colonize by root sprouts and spread by abundant bird- and other animal-dispersed seeds.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Japan, Korea (Alfred Rehder, Manual of Cultivated Trees and Shrubs: Hardy in North America, The MacMillan Co., New York (1967), Bailey, L.H. and E.Z. Bailey, Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York , (1977).); NatureServe Explorer

U.S. Present: AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, TX, VA

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Ligustrum japonicum
EDDMapS: Ligustrum japonicum
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Ligustrum japonicum

Invaders of Texas Observations

List All Observations of Ligustrum japonicum reported by Citizen Scientists

Resembles/Alternatives

Other alternatives include inkberry (Ilex glabra), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), red or black chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia or melanocarpa)

Management

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Miller, J.H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 pp (USDA SRS).

Online Resources

Search Online

Google Search: Ligustrum japonicum
Google Images: Ligustrum japonicum
NatureServe Explorer: Ligustrum japonicum
USDA Plants: Ligustrum japonicum
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Ligustrum japonicum
Bugwood Network Images: Ligustrum japonicum

Last Updated: 2007-11-08 by EEE
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