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Ligustrum vulgare - L.

Common Name Privet, European privet , Common Privet
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 4-7
Known Hazards Poisonous[10], though the toxicity is of a very low order and normally the consumption of the fruit leads to vomiting or no symptoms at all[65].
Habitats Open woodland, hedges and scrub, often by the sea and usually on calcareous soils[10, 17, 50].
Range Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Ligustrum vulgare Privet, European privet , Common Privet


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ligustrum_vulgare_Sturm1.jpg
Ligustrum vulgare Privet, European privet , Common Privet
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Mussklprozz

 

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Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Ligustrum vulgare is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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 and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Astringent  Bitter  Detergent  Vulnerary

The leaves are astringent, bitter, detergent, vulnerary[7, 21]. Internal use of this plant should be avoided since it can produce allergic symptoms[7]. Externally it is a safe and effective treatment[7]. The bark has been used as a stomachic[7], though this is not really recommended.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Charcoal  Dye  Ink  Wood

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[6], from the bark, according to other reports[46, 61]. A bluish-green dye is obtained from the berries[6, 46, 61]; it is more permanent than most greens[115]. A black dye can also be obtained from the fruit[61] and an ink[46, 61]. Wood - hard, close-grained. It is valuable for turning if it reaches sufficient size[115] and can also make small tools[46, 61]. The wood is a source of charcoal[46, 61]. The young twigs are used in basketry and hurdle making[46, 61, 100]. Landscape Uses Border, Hedge, Screen, Superior hedge. Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not very impoverished[11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a calcareous soil and succeeds in thin dry soils[186]. Grows well in light woodland or the full shade of a wall but flowers and fruits best in a sunny position[186]. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution, once established they also tolerate drought but are intolerant of water-logging[186]. A suckering shrub, forming dense thickets and making good bird cover[186]. An important food plant for many caterpillars, including the larvae of the privet hawk moth[186]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Sow the seed in spring in a cold frame. Stored seed germinates better if it is stratified,[113]. Remove any fruit flesh from around the seed before it is sown since this can inhibit germination[113]. 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, July/August in a frame. Very easy[78]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December[78]. The cuttings can also be placed in situ if required. 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 lucidumChinese Privet, Glossy privet, White Wax Tree, Tree LigustrumShrub10.0 8-11 MLMHFSNM133
Ligustrum obtusifoliumBorder privetShrub3.0 4-7 MLMHSNM203
Ligustrum ovalifoliumPrivet, California privetShrub4.0 4-8 MLMHFSNDM003
Ligustrum sinenseChinese PrivetShrub3.0 7-10 MLMHSNM013

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

L.

Botanical References

1117200

Links / References

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Readers comment

   Apr 11 2016 12:00AM

This species of Ligustrum is deciduous where I live, that is to say the Appennines of northern Italy. Minimum winter temperatures are usually just a few °C below zero.

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