California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium, Cat. Hort. Bot. Bogor. Alt.: 119 (1844))

Family: Oleaceae

Author: Hassk.

Bibliography: Cat. Hort. Bot. Bogor. Alt.: 119 (1844)

Year: 1844

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ligustrum

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Korea, Japan

Description

The California privet, scientifically known as Ligustrum ovalifolium, is an ornamental plant chiefly used for hedging and landscaping. This diverse species belongs to the Oleaceae family, which includes various plants known for their attractive foliage and versatility in garden settings.

First described scientifically in the mid-19th century by Hassk., the California privet displays a robust nature, making it a popular choice for gardens and public spaces. The plant is distinguished by its semi-evergreen nature, maintaining thick foliage throughout much of the year. This dense foliage primarily consists of oval-shaped, glossy green leaves which contribute significantly to its appeal as a privacy screen or garden border.

The California privet has been notably observed in various regions, especially in South Korea and Japan, where it naturally thrives and contributes to local biodiversity. Its adaptability to different environmental conditions makes it an excellent choice for cultivation in diverse climates.

In landscaping, Ligustrum ovalifolium is appreciated for its rapid growth and ease of maintenance. It can be regularly trimmed and shaped according to desired specifications, enabling gardeners to create formal hedges or informal screens tailored to their preferences. Its resilience to pruning and relatively low susceptibility to pests and diseases further solidifies its reputation as a low-maintenance plant.

In conclusion, the California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) stands out as a valuable addition to ornamental horticulture, prized for its vibrant foliage, adaptability, and the ease with which it can be cultivated and maintained in various climates, notably in East Asian regions such as South Korea and Japan.

Common Names

Dan: bredbladet liguster, storbladet liguster
Deu: breitblatt-liguster, japanischer liguster
Eng: california privet, garden privet, oval-leaved privet
Afr: kaliforniese liguster
Fra: troène de californie, troène à feuilles ovales, troène des haies
Por: alfenheiro-oval
Spa: aligustre japonés
Swe: bredbladig liguster
Hun: tojáslevelű fagyal
Nno: vinterliguster
Nob: vinterliguster
Nld: haagliguster
Jpn: ooba-ibota
Cym: pryfet yr ardd, yswydd yr ardd, yswydden y gerddi, yswydden yr ardd
En: California privet, Garden privet, Oval-leaved Privet, Californian Privet, Oval-leaf Privet
Af: Kaliforniese liguster
Ar: تمرحنة بيضاوية الأوراق
Hy: Կիպրոս Իբոտի
Az: Girdəyarpaq birgöz
Ca: Troanella
Zh: 卵叶女贞
Cs: Ptačí zob vejčitolistý
Da: Bredbladet liguster, Storbladet liguster
Nl: Haagliguster
Fi: Soikkolikusteri
Fr: Troène des haies, Troène de Californie, Troène à feuilles ovales, Troène du Japon
De: Japanischer Liguster, Ovalblättriger Liguster, Breitblatt-Liguster, Japanische Rainweide, Ovaler Liguster, Wintergrüner Liguster
Hu: Széleslevelű fagyal, Tojáslevelű fagyal
It: Ligustro a foglie ovali, Ligustro della California
Ja: Ōba-ibota, Ooba-ibota
No: Vinterliguster
Nb: Vinterliguster
Nn: Vinterliguster
Fa: برگ نوی آمریکایی
Pt: Alfenheiro-oval
Pt-br: Ligustro
Es: Aligustre japonés, Jajčastolistna kalina, Aligustre de California, Ligustrina verde, Ligustro
Sv: Bredbladig liguster
Zh-hant: 卵葉女貞
Cy: Yswydden yr ardd, Pryfet yr Ardd, Yswydd yr Ardd, Yswydden y Gerddi

Synonyms

• Ligustrum japonicum var. ovalifolium ((Hassk.) Blume)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 22, 2022 by Andrea Siftar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Iñaki Ozcariz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by Martin Freiburg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by Hosaka Yukiko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Serge BIZOUERNE (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 21, 2020 by eric bodenan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2022 by Quintus Rusticus Brivisarae (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Andrea Miko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2022 by lyao (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Inge De Smet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by Eliane Newton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2021 by Josep Maria Ferran (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Corentin Zheng (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 19, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Benjamin Suze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Corentin Zheng (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172291)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:610056-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.7

Ph minimum: 5.9