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Useful Temperate Plants

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.

+ Synonyms

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:

No Image.

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 *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height3.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

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.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-13. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Ligustrum+nepalense>

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