border privet: Ligustrum obtusifolium (Scrophulariales: Oleaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

border privet	USDA PLANTS Symbol: LIOB U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Shrub or Subshrub
Ligustrum obtusifolium Sieb. & Zucc.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Scrophulariales: Oleaceae
Native Range: Japan (REHD, BAIL);
Appearance Ligustrum obtusifolium is a woody, perennial, semi-deciduous shrub that grows to 10 ft. (3 m) in height. It is many stemmed and has pubescent branchlets. Foliage Its opposite leaves are elliptic to oblong-ovate in shape and measure 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) long and 0.3-1 in. (0.75-2.5 cm) wide. The apex of the leaf can be either acute or obtuse in shape. The upper leaf surface is dark green in color, while the lower surface is pubescent, or only pubescent on the mid-rib. Flowers The white flowers of Ligustrum obtusifolium are unpleasantly scented and are borne in nodding panicles that measure 0.75-1.5 in. (2-2.5 cm) long. The flowers appear on the plant in June. Fruit The fruits are black or blue-black, somewhat glaucous drupes. They are subglobose in shape and measure 0.25 in. (6 mm) in length. Fruit appear on the plant in September and persist on the branches into the winter. Ecological Threat Like Ligustrum vulgare and L. sinense, this plant is capable of escaping to form dense thickets that can crowd out native species.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org