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Ligustrum lucidum - W.T.Aiton.

Common Name Chinese Privet, Glossy privet, White Wax Tree, Tree Ligustrum
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards The fruit is mildly toxic[238]. Although no other reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, it is quite probable that other parts of the plant also contain toxins[65].
Habitats Roadsides and in river valleys[109]. Woods below 2900 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Ligustrum lucidum Chinese Privet, Glossy privet, White Wax Tree, Tree  Ligustrum


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fanghong
Ligustrum lucidum Chinese Privet, Glossy privet, White Wax Tree, Tree  Ligustrum
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fanghong

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Ligustrum lucidum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 10 m (32ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[179]. The shoots contain a glycoside and are probably toxic[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Antiseptic  Antitumor  Cardiotonic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Miscellany  
Ophthalmic  Pectoral  Tonic  Vulnerary

Chinese privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years[238]. The fruit is antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumour, cardiotonic, diuretic and tonic[147, 176, 178, 238]. It is taken internally in the treatment of complaints associated with weak kidney and liver energy such as menopausal problems (especially premature menopause), blurred vision, cataracts, tinnitus, rheumatic pains, palpitations, backache and insomnia[147, 238]. Modern research has shown that the plant increases the white blood cell count and is of value when used to prevent bone marrow loss in cancer chemotherapy patients[176, 178, 238], it also has potential in the treatment of AIDS[238]. Extracts of the plant show antitumour activity[218]. Good results have also been achieved when the fruit has been used in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, Parkinson's disease and hepatitis[238]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use[238]. It is often decocted with other herbs in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and also as a general tonic[218]. Some caution is advised in their use, since the fruits are toxic when eaten in quantity[238]. The leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary[218]. The bark of the stems is diaphoretic[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Miscellany  Wax

A commercial insect wax is produced on the branches as a result of eggs being laid by insects[11]. Another report says that the wax is produced by the plant due to the stimulation of the feeding insects[61]. Yet another report says that the wax is produced by the insects[178]. It is used for candles and as a polish for earthenware pots, book edges etc[178]. The plant can be used as a hedge[11]. It is very amenable to trimming.

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Screen, Specimen. A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished or water-logged[11, 182]. Dislikes strongly alkaline soils[202]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun and also in deep shade[202]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[1, 11]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[202]. A moderately fast-growing plant[202]. It is very tolerant of trimming and will regrow even from very old stems if it is cut back hard[202]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[202]. The variegated cultivars are best grown in full sun[238]. This plant is a symbol of chastity in China[178]. Closely related to L. japonicum[200]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Attracts birds, Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Propagation

The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[113]. 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, July/August in a frame. Very easy[78]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ligustrum delavayanum Shrub3.0 6-9  LMHFSNM003
Ligustrum indicum Shrub3.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Ligustrum japonicumJapanese Privet, Japanese Ligustrum, Waxleaf Ligustrum, Texas Privet, Waxleaf PrivetShrub5.0 7-10 MLMHSNM113
Ligustrum obtusifoliumBorder privetShrub3.0 4-7 MLMHSNM203
Ligustrum ovalifoliumPrivet, California privetShrub4.0 4-8 MLMHFSNDM003
Ligustrum sinenseChinese PrivetShrub3.0 7-10 MLMHSNM013
Ligustrum vulgarePrivet, European privet , Common PrivetShrub3.0 4-7 MLMHSNDM013

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

W.T.Aiton.

Botanical References

11109200

Links / References

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