TreeRM

Glossy privet

Ligustrum lucidum 路 Oleaceae 路 also Tree privet, Waxleaf ligustrum (misapplied), Ligustrum

A fast evergreen shrub or small tree (25-40 feet) with glossy dark leaves, panicles of heavy-scented cream flowers in late spring and masses of blue-black berries that birds carry into every greenbelt and creek bottom in Austin, where it forms dense evergreen thickets that shade out everything beneath. Leaves and berries are poisonous, and the flowers' smell and pollen bother many people.

Broadleaf evergreenFast growingSun or part shadeLow water
Glossy privet
Taken by Fanghong, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚚馃嚦 China 路 Native to China, Japan and Korea

Invasive

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Texas Invasives reports it present in AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC and TXsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 NC, United States 路 Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council (per NC State Extension Plant Toolbox)source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United States 路 Listed in the Texas Invasives (texasinvasives.org) plant database. Has the potential to replace mid-canopy trees and dominate forest areas; spreads by bird-dispersed seed and root sprouts. Not on the TDA noxious list.source

Care

Do not plant; it is one of the most common woody invaders of Central Texas natural areas. Remove existing plants by cutting and treating stumps with herbicide (they resprout), and pull seedlings while small. If you keep a hedge, shear off flowers before berries form. Native evergreen replacements include yaupon holly, Texas mountain laurel and evergreen sumac.

Benefits

Birds

Good for

Watch out for

Invasive elsewhereToxic partsAllergenic pollenMessy fruit