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Chinese Privet - Ligustrum sinense

chinese privet
Chinese Privet
© Barry Rice

Chinese privet occurs throughout North Carolina.

 

Privet occurs as a tall, many-branched shrub or small tree-sometimes reaching heights of 30 feet. The leaves are opposite and 0.75 to 1.25 inches long, semi-evergreen, shiny on the upper surface and pale green underneath. The underside of each leaf has tiny hairs along the midrib. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers are clustered at the ends of twigs (May/June). Fruits are dark blue and pea sized  (September/November).

 

Imported as an ornamental, privet is now naturalized and competes strongly with native vegetation. Dense stands of privet make large-scale changes in ecosystems, particularly along rivers and streams. Privet is spread by seed and by root suckers which makes it very hard to eradicate.