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PRIVET--Chinese and European (Ligustrum sinense and Ligustrum vulgare)

Description

• A shrub attaining up to 30 feet in height. Widely used as hedges.
• Leaves are glossy, stiff, and oval to elliptical, one-half to two inches long, arranged opposite other leaves, forming 2 rows along stem with leaves at nearly right angle to stems.
• Small white four-petaled flowers in loose clumps with heavy musky smell. Berries are dark blue to black, and less than one-quarter inch in diameter forming in October.
• Origin--China and Eurasia

Distribution

• A frequent invasive in all counties and site types at lower elevations.
• Thickly invades stream sides, fence rows, road sides, and forest edges.

Threat

• Grows in dense stands eliminating native species underneath, especially in moist areas.
• Spread prolifically by birds.
• Tolerates shade and lower elevations, invades forests.

Control

• Mechanical/hand pulling provided roots pulled too.
• Glyphosate 3% herbicide as foliar spray. Late fall spraying avoids damage to most native plants.
• Control requires follow-up treatments for seedlings and sprouts.
• For larger stems, use basal application of Garlon^tm 4 at a 20% solution.

Links to sites with additional information on Chinese and European Privet

• Invasive.org--Chinese and European Privet
• Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia--Chinese Privet
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Profile--European Privet

References: Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council, Virginia Natural Heritage Program, USDA Forest Service