Ligustrum Gardening   | ||||
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Ligustrum is a genus of evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous shrubs and trees in the family Oleaceae, comprising 40-50 species. It is native to Europe, north Africa, Asia and Australasia, with the centre of diversity in China, the Himalayas, Japan and Taiwan. Ligustrum is also known as Privet. Ligustrum ovalifolium (Oval-leaved privet) is a semi-evergreen shrub grown extensively for hedging, and can grow to 4 meters high and across. It is native to Japan, and is sometimes known as Japanese Privet, but this is different from another species Ligustrum japonicum which is also called by this common name. In midsummer, it produces white flowers that are small, fragrant and are borne in panicles. They are four curled-back petals and two high stamens with yellow or red anthers, between which is the low pistils. After the flower is fertilized, the petals and stamens will fall off, leaving the pistils in the calyx tube. The fruits are clusters of small purple to black drupes, which are readily eaten by birds but are poisonous to human. Ligustrum lucidum (Chinese Privet) is the largest species in the genus, growing to as high as 25 m. It bears glossy, dark green leaves and white flowers in late summer. The plant is often used as an ornamental tree. The berries are used in traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of 'sexual weakness', tinnitus (ringing in the ears), as well as for general fatigue. It is also used to increase the yin in the body. Ligustrum lucidum is also known to the West as the 'Wax Tree Privet'. Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet, Common Privet or European Privet) is native to central and southern Europe, north Africa, and southwestern Asia. It is a semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub, growing to 3 m tall. Its stems are stiff, erect, with grey-brown bark spotted with small brown lenticles. The leaves are green, narrow oval to lanceolate. The strong scented creamy-white flowers are borne in mid-summer in panicles of 3-6 cm long. The fruit is a small glossy black berry 6-8 mm diameter, containing 1-4 seeds. The berries are readily eaten by birds, especially thrushes, which disperse the seeds in their droppings; however the berries are poisonous to human. The species is listed as invasive plant in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Ligustrum grows well in sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in spring or autumn; semi-ripe cuttings in summer; or hardwood cuttings in winter. Aphids, leaf miners, honey fungus and leaf spot are pests and diseases that can affect the growth of Ligustrum. Ligustrum ovalifolium Author: MPF (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic) Ligustrum ovalifolium Author: I.Sáček, senior (public domain) Ligustrum vulgare Author: Pancrat (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported) Ligustrum vulgare Author: Pancrat (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported) Ligustrum japonicum Author: KENPEI (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.1 Japan) Ligustrum lucidum Author: Fanghong (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic) Ligustrum lucidum Author: KENPEI (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic) Ligustrum sinense Author: John Tann (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic) | ||||
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