Scientific Name:
Ligustrum obtusifolium
( syn.
L. amurense
)
Pronunciation:
lih-GEW-strum ob-too-sih-FOH-lee-um
Common Name:
Amur privet, border privet
Family Name:
Oleaceae
Plant Type:
Semi-evergreen, Shrub - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite, most elliptical, 3-6cm long x 1-3cm wide, underside pubescence along midrib, dark green; cymose panicles (thryse) 3-4cm long, florets small, white, unpleasantly scented, corolla tubes longer than sepate petal ends, May-June; berries 4-6mm wide, oval, dark purple to black (poisonous). Winter ID: mult-stem trunk, bark grey-brown, lenticels horizontal, short, tan coloured; opposite buds with two scales and their edges meet.
Habit:
Twiggy, Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
2 - 3m
Mature Spread:
2 - 3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Hedge row, Mixed shrub border, Sheared hedge, Specimen plant, Winter interest (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Google. Compare to L. ovalifolium (Zone 7).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Green, Purple, Red
Shapes:
Elliptic, Oblong, Obovate
Apices:
Acuminate, Acute
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White (cream)
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Black
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy, Persistent
Bark Morphology:
Prominent lenticels, Multi-stem trunk
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Brown
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Mildew, Mites (Drought tolerant)
