Ligustrum nepalense
Wall.
Oleaceae
The true identity of Ligustrum nepalense has been rather confused at times and it has sometimes been treated as a synonym of Ligustrum indicum (Lour.) Merr. (itself now treated as a synonym of Ligustrum sinense Lour.). Ligustrum nepalense is treated here as distinct (as per P. S. Green, Notes Relating to Ligustrum (Oleaceae), Kew Bulletin, Vol. 50, No. 2 (1995), pp. 379-386, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4110644).
The use of this species as a coffee substitute (mentioned below) may belong more correctly to Ligustrum sinense.
Faulia odorata Raf.
Ligustrum bracteolatum D.Don
Ligustrum gyirongense P.Y.Pai
Ligustrum lanceolatum Lamb. ex D.Don
Ligustrum parviflorum Vis.
Ligustrum spicatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
Ligustrum vestitum Wall.
Ligustrum wallichii Blume
Olea grandiflora Wall. ex G.Don
Phillyrea bracteolata Lamb. ex D.Don
Phillyrea grandiflora Wall.
Visiania grandiflora (Wall. ex G.Don) DC.
Common Name:
General Information
Ligustrum nepalense is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3 metres tall.
The plant is possibly harvested from the wild for local use as a coffee substitute.
Known Hazards
Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus is recorded as being mildly toxic and it is quite possible that other members of the genus also contain toxins[
65- Title
- A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J.
- Publisher
- Wolfe
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0723408394
- Description
- Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
].
Botanical References
51- Title
- Flowers of the Himalayas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
- Publisher
- Oxford Universtiy Press
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
E. Asia - northern India, Nepal, southwest China (Xizang), northern Myanmar
Habitat
Damp gullies, wet oak forests; at elevations from 1,200 - 2,700 metres from Uttar Pradesh to Bhutan[
51- Title
- Flowers of the Himalayas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
- Publisher
- Oxford Universtiy Press
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished or water-logged[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
182- Title
- Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-7195-5043-2
- Description
- Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
The clusters of white flowers are sweet smelling.
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].
Although these report are for Ligustrum nepalense, at least one of them said that the plant was used in Japan for this purpose, but this species is not found in Japan. See notes above on nomenclature for more information[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[
113- Title
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
- Publisher
- Athens Ga. Varsity Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0942375009
- Description
- A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in late autumn. High percentage[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
