T r e e s  o f  N o r t h  C a r o l i n a

Ligustrum L. (Oleaceae)

A genus of about forty species of shrubs and trees; Old World.

Four species reach tree size in North Carolina, none are native to the state.

Key to Ligustrum in North Carolina

1. Leaves (3-) 4-13 (-15) cm long…2.

2. Leaves mostly (3-) 4-8 (-9) cm long, primary lateral veins 3-5 pairs, apex acute to abruptly acuminate, abaxial midvein covered by epidermis; flowers short-pedicellate on pedicels 0.5-2 mm; corolla tube hardly exserted from calyx, ca. equal lobe length…*L. japonicum (Japanese privet)

2. Leaves (4.5-) 6-13 (-15) cm, primary lateral veins (5-) 6-8 pairs, apex usually long-acuminate, abaxial midvein not covered by epidermis; flowers subsessile on pedicels 0-0.5 mm; corolla tube distinctly exserted from calyx, ca. 2× longer than lobes…*L. lucidum (Broadleaf privet)

1. Leaves 1.5–6 (-6.5) cm long…3.

3. Branchlets glabrous and usually glossy…*L. ovalifolium (California privet)

3. Branchlets minutely hirtellous, hirsute-hirtellous, or hirsutulous…*L. sinense (Chinese privet)