Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet; syn. L. villosum; in Mandarin: 杻; pinyin: chǒu) is a species of flowering plant in the family Oleaceae. This privet is native to China, Taiwan and Vietnam,Flora of China: Ligustrum sinense and invasive in Réunion, the Andaman Islands, Norfolk Island, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and much of the eastern and southern United States (from Texas and Florida north to Kansas, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut).Biota of North America Program, Ligustrum sinense The name "Chinese privet" may also refer to Ligustrum lucidum.
Description Ligustrum sinense is a deciduous shrub growing to 2–7 m (6.5–23 ft) tall, with densely hairy shoots. The leaves are opposite, 2–7 cm (0.7–2.7 in) long and 1–3 cm (0.3–1.1 in) broad, rarely larger, with an entire margin and a 2–8 mm (0.07–0.31 in) petiole. The flowers are white, with a four-lobed corolla 3.5–5.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The fruit is subglobose, 5–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) diameter,Loureiro, João de. 1790. Flora cochinchinensis: sistens plantas in regno Cochinchina nascentes. Quibus accedunt aliæ observatæ in Sinensi imperio, Africa Orientali, Indiæque locis variis. Omnes dispositæ secundum systema sexuale Linnæanum. Ulyssipone. 1: 19. Ligustrum sinense and considered poisonous.
Varieties The following varieties are accepted by the Flora of China: Ligustrum sinense var. sinense Ligustrum sinense var. concavum Ligustrum sinense var. coryanum Ligustrum sinense var. dissimile Ligustrum sinense var. luodianense Ligustrum sinense var. myrianthum Ligustrum sinense var. opienense Ligustrum sinense var. rugosulum
Cultivation and uses
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant and for hedges. Several cultivars have been selected, including the very floriferous 'Multiflorum', the variegated cultivar 'Variegatum', and the dwarf cultivar 'Wimbei' growing to 0.5 m and with leaves only 6 mm long.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan .
It was introduced to North America to be used for hedges and landscaping where it has now escaped from cultivation and is listed as an invasive plant in southeastern states. This reference lists L. vulgare, L. obtusifolium, L. ovalifolium, and L. sinense as invasive. It is estimated that Chinese privet now occupies over one million hectares of land across 12 states ranging from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas, with detrimental effects to biodiversity and forest health.Hanula, J.L, Horn, S., Taylor, J.W. (2009). Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) Removal and its Effect on Native Plant Communities of Riparian Forests. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2:292-300.
Etymology Ligustrum means 'binder'. It was named by Pliny and Virgil.Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). p 237
See also Privet as an invasive plant
References
External links Species Profile - Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library