Common Name: Chinese Privet

General Information

Ligustrum sinense is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow around 2 - 7 metres tall. The plant can lose most or all of its leaves in a cold winter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and is commonly grown as an ornamental and a hedge plant. Within its native range, it has the potential for use as a pioneer species in restoring native woodland.
Ligustrum sinense is commonly grown in temperate gardens as an ornamental and as a hedge, It can often escape from cultivation and, in the wild, it can form impenetrable thickets and crowd out native vegetation. It may displace the native shrub layer of invaded forests and prevent regeneration of native species. It is capable of spreading rapidly to the exclusion of almost all native species and is tolerant of a wide range of ecological conditions. It is a threat to many habitats and is very difficult to control once established. The plant is considered invasive in several countries including the USA, Australia and New Zealand[].

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[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - eastern and southern China, northern Vietnam.

Habitat

Thin woods and thickets in lowland and hills all over Japan[]. Mixed forests, valleys, along streams, thickets, woods, ravines; at elevations from 200 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Butterflies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in ful sun and in moderate shade[]. A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished or water-logged[, ]. Plants can tolerate short periods of soil inundation[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
The plant is very tolerant of trimming and will regrow even from very old stems if it is cut back hard.
This species has become a problematic invader of native habitats in N. America, becoming the dominant understorey shrub in some areas[].
The racemes of white flowers are somewhat unpleasantly fragranced[]
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is used as an antipyretic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is very amenable to trimming and is much cultivated as a hedge and screen plant in N. America[].
The plant is a short-lived pioneer species[], thriving in disturbed sites, and within its native range would be a good plant to use for reforesting open areas, particularly on some of the more difficult sites. It should not generally be used for this purpose outside its native range, however, because of its ability to naturalize and out-compete native[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[]. 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[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in late autumn. High percentage[].