Family: Oleaceae
Author: W.T.Aiton
Bibliography: Hortus Kew. 1: 19 (1810)
Year: 1810
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ligustrum
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & S. China to Hainan, S. Korea
Description
Chinese privet, scientifically known as Ligustrum lucidum, is a versatile and robust plant belonging to the Oleaceae family. This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to regions extending from Central and Southern China to Hainan and South Korea. The plant can grow up to 10 meters in height, showcasing its glossy, dark green leaves which present a lustrous appearance, contributing to its Latin name “lucidum” meaning “bright” or “shiny”.
Ligustrum lucidum produces small, fragrant flowers that are creamy-white and bloom in panicles during the summer months. These flowers attract a variety of pollinators, making the Chinese privet an important contributor to local ecosystems. Following the flowering season, the plant bears clusters of small, dark blue to black berries, which provide food for birds and other wildlife.
The Chinese privet has a rich history documented in botanical literature, with its formal classification appearing in W.T. Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis (1810). It has been historically used in traditional medicine and horticulture due to its hardy nature and aesthetic appeal. This plant thrives in a range of soils and can withstand urban pollution, which makes it a popular choice for landscaping and urban greening projects.
However, in regions outside its native range, the Chinese privet can become invasive, outcompeting local flora and altering habitable environments. Control measures may be necessary to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably in non-native areas.
In conclusion, Chinese privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is a plant of significant interest due to its ornamental beauty, ecological interactions, and adaptability. Understanding its growth habits and environmental impact is crucial for both cultivation and management in various regions.
Common Names
Afr: chinese liguster
Eng: chinese privet, chinese wax-leaf privet, glossy privet, broad-leaf-privet, broadleaf privet, giant privet, glossy-privet, large-leaf privet, ligustrum, tree privet, white waxtree
Ita: ligustro lucido
Fra: troène du japon, troène luisant, troène de chine
Por: alfeneiro, alfeneiro-brilhante, alfeneiro-da-china, alfeneiro-de-rua, alfenheiro-do-japão, ligustro
Spa: ligustro, trueno
Nob: blankliguster
Nno: blankliguster
Swe: glansliguster
En: Chinese privet, Chinese wax-leaf privet, Glossy privet, Broad-leaf-privet, Broadleaf privet, Giant privet, Glossy-privet, Large-leaf privet, Ligustrum, Tree privet, White waxtree, Nepal Privet, Broad-leaf privet
Af: Chinese liguster
Ca: Troana
Fr: Troène du Japon, Troène luisant, Troène de Chine
It: Ligustro lucido, Ligustro cinese
Nb: Blankliguster
Nn: Blankliguster
Pt: Alfeneiro, Alfeneiro-brilhante, Alfeneiro-da-china, Alfeneiro-de-rua, Alfenheiro-do-japão, Ligustro
Es: Ligustro, Trueno, Aligustre de China
Sv: Glansliguster
Synonyms
- Ligustrum japonicum var. macrophyllum (C.K.Schneid.)
- Ligustrum japonicum var. alivonii (André)
- Olea clavata (G.Don)
- Ligustrum lucidum f. aureomarginatum ((Rehder) Rehder)
- Ligustrum lucidum f. tricolor ((Rehder) Rehder)
- Ligustrum lucidum var. tricolor (Rehder)
- Ligustrum japonicum f. aureomarginatum ((Rehder) Schelle)
- Ligustrum esquirolii (H.Lév.)
- Ligustrum lucidum f. latifolium ((W.C.Cheng) P.S.Hsu)
- Ligustrum lucidum var. alivonii ((André) Rehder)
- Ligustrum lucidum var. aureomarginatum (Rehder)
- Ligustrum magnoliifolium (Dippel)
- Ligustrum lucidum var. aureovariegatum (Bean)
- Phillyrea terminalis (Roxb. ex Wall.)
- Olea chinensis (Sweet)
- Ligustrum compactum var. latifolium (W.C.Cheng)
- Ligustrum lucidum f. alivonii ((André) Schelle)
- Ligustrum nepalense var. glabrum (Hook.)
- Esquirolia sinensis (H.Lév.)
- Visiania paniculata ((Roxb.) DC.)
- Ligustrum lucidum var. xideense (J.L.Liu)
- Phillyrea paniculata (Roxb.)
- Faulia verrucosa (Raf.)
- Ligustrum lucidum var. esquirolii (H.Lév.)
- Ligustrum hookeri (Decne.)
- Ligustrum sinense var. latifolium (T.Moore)
Distribution
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Lesotho (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Nov 22, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 22, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2017 by Ken Rupkalvis (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Jean Pierre Mossé (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2022 by 𝟙𝔻 𝕕𝕔𝕘𝕥 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2017 by Marc-Antoine Catrix (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 17, 2021 by abdurrahmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 7, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 7, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Olivier Le Gall (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 1, 2021 by Bernard Fabier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2020 by John (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Feb 17, 2022 by saundarananda (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Michelle Mateos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique RICHARD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2018 by Ferronato Angelo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique RICHARD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Moras Vincent (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172297)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:610017-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree, Shrub
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Soil nutriments: 5