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Ligustrum vulgare L.

Privet, common privet

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderLamialesAromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
FamilyOleaceaeTemperate climate shrubs, trees and a few vines, include forsythia, ash, jasmine, privet, olive, lilac, and many others
GenusLigustrumA Latin name for the privet plant
SpeciesvulgareLatin for “common”

About plant names...

Common privet is a shrub native to northern Europe, the Mediterranean region, northern Africa, and Asia Minor. It is naturalized in North America, and, in many areas, con­sidered an invasive species. They are often used as hedges. They appear in open woods, and are often found near the ocean. They prefer calcerous (e.g. limestone) soils.

Plants: Shrubs are evergreen, and reach heights of 10-15′ (3-4.6 m), and nearly the same width.

Leaves: Opposite, oblong to lanceolate, ⅞-2″ (2.5-6 cm) × ⅛-½″ (5-15 mm), with smooth edges.

Flowers: White or cream-colored panicles of flowers, 1-3″ (2.5-7.6 cm) long, appear in Apr-Jun.

Fuits: Berries are rounded, often copious, ¼-½″ (8-13 mm) around, and ripen from green to dark purple or black.

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones. Leaves and berries are mildly poi­sonous if ingested. The pollen triggers allergies in some people.

Online References:

Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

Www.texasinvasives.org

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land ID is uncertain

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) ID is uncertain

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

 

Ligustrum vulgare description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

12/4/2005 · Memphis, Ten­nes­see · By Tim Chandler

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land ID is uncertain

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land ID is uncertain

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

3/17/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, End, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land ID is uncertain

Ligustrum vulgare (privet, common privet)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 4-7:

About this map...