Ligustrum vulgare (Chinese or common privet)

Ligustrum vulgare (Chinese or common privet). . , Family: Oleaceae (Olive Family), Distribution: This plant is distributed throughout the United States, with the exception of a few western and central states. It is present in about half of the counties in West Virginia., Size: Chinese privets reach heights of 10-15 ft. tall., Habitat/Description: It prefers well-drained, medium to dry sandy, loamy, or chalky soils exposed to full sun or partial shade. This fast-growing, semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub can be found in thickets by streams, woodlands, forest understories, and roadsides. Small, white, strongly fragrant flowers bloom in June. In fall, spherical black drupes appear and persist throughout the winter. Leaves turn purplish in the fall. Chinese privet displays hardiness in the winter and tolerates impoverished soils, drought, and pollution. The caterpillars of privet hawk moths feed on the leaves, and deer browse the sprouts. The plant can fall victim to nematodes, leaf miners, aphids and other insects, as well as a number of fungal diseases, and crown gall tumors. In West Virginia it is a serious non-native, invasive pest, as can be seen here in this park. Because it has the ability to form dense thickets and self-seed in appropriate growing conditions, this plant can overtake and out-compete surrounding native vegetation, thus adversely altering wildlife habitat., Ethnobotanical Uses: In the mid-1800's, Chinese privet was introduced to North America from China and Europe for horticultural use. However, it escaped cultivation and became naturalized throughout the country where it is invasive in some areas, e. g., West Virginia. The leaves of common privet are mildly poisonous and taste bitter. Oral consumption can either result in no symptoms at all or in vomiting and allergic reactions. The twigs have been used to make baskets and the wood as a source for charcoal. Bluish-green or black dyes and inks can be produced from the berries. The leaves have been used to create a yellow dye.