privet

privet, any plant of the genus Ligustrum, Old World shrubs or small trees of the family Oleaceae (olive family), some of which are common as hedge plants. Privet hedges are popular for their dark green leaves and their ease of cultivation even in adverse city conditions. The various species are evergreen, nearly evergreen, or deciduous, some producing small white flowers in profusion. They are usually propagated by cuttings. The common privet (L. vulgare) has become naturalized in the E United States; the California privet (L. ovalifolium) is a native of Japan. Privet is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Scrophulariales.

Any of about 40–50 species of shrubs and small trees in the genus Ligustrum of the olive family that are widely used for hedges, screens, and ornamental plantings. Native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean, these evergreen or deciduous plants have usually oval, smooth-edged leaves; creamy-white, often odorous clusters of flowers; and black berries. The hardy common privet (L. vulgare), native to northeastern Europe and Britain and naturalized in northeastern North America, is used widely as a hedge plant. Mock privets belong to the genus Phillyrea (same family) and bear small, bright-red fruits that turn purple-black as they mature.

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This article is about the privet plant in the genus Ligustrum. "Privet" may also refer to plants in two other genera in family Oleaceae: Forestiera ("Swamp-privet") and Phillyrea ("Mock-privet").

Privet was originally the name for the European semi-evergreen shrub Ligustrum vulgare, and later also for the more reliably evergreen Ligustrum ovalifolium (Japanese privet), used extensively for privacy hedging (hence "privet", private). The term is now used for all members of the genus Ligustrum, which includes about 40-50 species of evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous shrubs and small trees, native to Europe, north Africa, Asia and Australasia, with the centre of diversity in China, the Himalaya, Japan and Taiwan. They are placed in the olive family Oleaceae.

The flowers are small and fragrant and borne in panicles. They have four curled-back petals and two high stamens with yellow or red anthers, between which is the low pistil; the petals and stamens fall off after the flower is fertilized, leaving the pistil in the calyx tube. Flowering starts after 330 growing degree days. The fruits, borne in clusters, are small purple to black drupes. The fruits of some species are mildly poisonous to humans.

Ecology

In favorable growing conditions, individual shrubs may produce thousands of fruits, most of which are eaten by birds.

Privet is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Common Emerald, Common Marbled Carpet, Copper Underwing, The Engrailed, Mottled Beauty, Scalloped Hazel, Small Angle Shades, The V-pug and Willow Beauty.

Selected species

• Ligustrum amamianum. China.
• Ligustrum angustum. China.
• Ligustrum chenaultii. China (Yunnan).
• Ligustrum compactum. Himalaya, southwest China.
• Ligustrum confusum. Himalaya, Khasi Hills.
• Ligustrum delavayanum. Southwest China, Myanmar.
• Ligustrum expansum. China.
• Ligustrum gracile. China.
• Ligustrum henryi. Central China.
• Ligustrum ibota. Japan.
• Ligustrum indicum. Himalaya, Indo-China
• Ligustrum japonicum. Japan, Korea.
• Ligustrum leucanthum. China.
• Ligustrum lianum. China.
• Ligustrum liukiuense. Taiwan.
• Ligustrum longitubum. China.
• Ligustrum lucidum (Chinese or Glossy Privet). China, Japan, Korea.
• Ligustrum massalongianum. Himalaya.
• Ligustrum microcarpum. Taiwan; often included in L. sinense.
• Ligustrum morrisonense. Taiwan.
• Ligustrum obovatilimbum. China.
• Ligustrum obtusifolium (syn. L. amurense; Japanese Deciduous Privet). Eastern Asia.
• Ligustrum ovalifolium (Japanese or Oval-leaved Privet). Japan.
• Ligustrum pedunculare. China.
• Ligustrum pricei. Taiwan.
• Ligustrum punctifolium
• Ligustrum quihoui. China.
• Ligustrum retusum. China.
• Ligustrum robustum. China.
• Ligustrum sempervirens. Western China.
• Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet). China, Taiwan.
• Ligustrum strongylophyllum. Central China.
• Ligustrum tenuipes. China.
• Ligustrum tschonoskii. Japan.
• Ligustrum vulgare (Common or European Privet). Europe, northwest Africa, southwest Asia.
• Ligustrum xingrenense. China.
• Ligustrum yunguiense. China.

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Problems

Privet is one of several plants which are poisonous to horses. In some parts of the world where they are not native, some privet species have become invasive weeds, spreading into wilderness areas and displacing native species. This is particularly a problem in North America, where no species of the genus occurs naturally. Privet is a huge problem in New Zealand. It is banned from sale or cultivation in New Zealand due to the effects of its pollen on asthma sufferers. Privet pollen is known to cause asthma and eczema in sufferers. Privet can be removed by contacting the local government to report its presence.

References

http://bonsaisuperstore.com/items/bonsai-trees/ligustrum/list.htm - Ligustrum Bonsai