Common Name: Privet

General Information

Ligustrum vulgare is a semi-evergreen shrub or small, usually multi-stemmed tree that can grow around 3 - 6 metres tall. The plant often suckers freely to form dense thickets[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
Ligustrum vulgare has often been grown as an ornamental and as a hedge plant. It often escapes from cultivation and has become naturalized in many areas, especially in several states of the USA. It is reported as invasive in North and South America (Canada, USA, Argentina and Brazil), South Africa, Australia and New Zealand[].

Known Hazards

Poisonous[], though the toxicity is of a very low order and normally the consumption of the fruit leads to vomiting or no symptoms at all[].

Botanical References

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Range

Central and southern Europe, from southern Norway, Britain and Portugal, east through the Caucasus and Turkey to Iran; N.. Africa - Morocco.

Habitat

Open woodland, hedges and scrub, often by the sea and usually on calcareous soils[, , ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not very impoverished[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a calcareous soil and succeeds in thin dry soils[]. Grows well in light woodland or the full shade of a wall but flowers and fruits best in a sunny position[]. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution, once established they also tolerate drought but are intolerant of water-logging[].
The panicles of dull white flowers have a heavy odour objectionable to most people[].
A suckering shrub, forming dense thickets and making good bird cover[]. An important food plant for many caterpillars, including the larvae of the privet hawk moth[].
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Internal use of this plant should preferably be avoided since it can produce allergic symptoms, though used externally it is a safe and effective treatment[].

The leaves are antiinflammatory, antirheumatic, astringent, bitter, detergent, diuretic, hypotensive and vulnerary[, , ].
The fresh leaves were once chewed as a treatment for smooth oropharyngeal inflammations or aphthae[].
A decoction of the leaves is active against burns, wounds and headaches[].

The bark has been used as a stomachic[], though this is not really recommended.

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds well to trimming and can be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[], from the bark according to other reports[, ].
A bluish-green dye is obtained from the berries[, , ], it is more permanent than most greens[]. A black dye can also be obtained from the fruit[] as well as an ink[, ].

The young twigs are used in basketry and hurdle making[, , ].

Wood - hard, close-grained. It is valuable for turning if it reaches sufficient size[] and can also be used to make small tools[, ]. The wood is a source of charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Sow the seed in spring in a cold frame. Stored seed germinates better if it is stratified,[]. Remove any fruit flesh from around the seed before it is sown since this can inhibit germination[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
The seed can also be sown in outdoor seed beds in the autumn. You can leave the plants to grow on in the seedbed for up to 4 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in late autumn[]. The cuttings can also be placed in situ if required. High percentage[].