H. Schneider
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Privets
Border Privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium),
Chinese Privet (L. sinense),
European Privet (L. vulgare),
Japanese Privet (L. japonicum)
Origin: Europe, China, Japan and Korea
Background
Various species of privet have been introduced to the
United States as garden plants and are widely used as
hedges. European privet was introduced sometime during the
1700s, obtuse-leaved privet in 1860, Japanese privet in
1945 and Chinese privet in 1952. They escaped cultivation
and are now established throughout the eastern part of the
country.
Distribution and Ecological Threat
European privet occurs in scattered locations across the
United States. Chinese and Japanese privet are found in
the Southeast and Midwest. Border privet is found in most
of the Northeast. Privets can invade floodplains, forests,
wetlands and fields. Privets form dense thickets,
out-competing native vegetation.
Description and Biology
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Plant: stout, many-branched shrubs in the olive family
(Oleaceae); can grow to 15 feet tall.
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Leaves: oval to elliptical on short stalks, in pairs
along stem; phenolic compounds in leaves protect
against damage from insects.
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Flowers, fruits and seeds: small white flowers grow in
clusters at ends of branches; fruits are small
blue-black berries produced during late summer to early
fall.
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Spreads: by seed dispersed by birds and other wildlife
that eat the fruits and excrete seeds undamaged; can
also grow from stumps and stump sprouts.
Prevention and Control
Do not plant privets. Small plants can be dug out. For
larger plants, spray leaves with glyphosate herbicide or
paint on freshly cut stumps.
Native Alternatives
inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
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spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Chris Miller, NRCS
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blackhaw (Viburnum
prunifolium)
Chris Miller, NRCS
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red or black chokeberry
(Aronia arbutifolia or
melanocarpa)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
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