| Chinese privet Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Chinese privet |
| Scientific Name: | Ligustrum lucidum |
| Origin | Southern China and has been naturalized in Spain, Italy, Algeria, Canary Islands, New Zealand, Lesotho, South Africa, Japan, Korea, Australia, Norfolk Island, Chiapas, Central America, Argentina, Uruguay, and the southern United States |
| Colors | Initially pale green turning to bluish-black or purplish-black in color as they mature |
| Shapes | Oval or round drupes that is 5-10 mm long and 4-6 mm wide |
| Taste | Bitter, Sweet |
| Health benefits | Support weak kidney and liver, menopausal problems, blurred vision, cataracts, tinnitus, rheumatic pains, palpitations, backache, insomnia, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis, dizziness and fever |
| Name | Chinese privet |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ligustrum lucidum |
| Native | Native to southern China, it has been naturalized in Spain, Italy, Algeria, Canary Islands, New Zealand, Lesotho, South Africa, Japan, Korea, Australia, Norfolk Island, Chiapas, Central America, Argentina, Uruguay, and the southern United States (California, Arizona, Maryland, and the southeast from Texas to North Carolina). |
| Common Names | Broad leaf privet, broad-leaved privet, Chinese glossy privet, Chinese liguster, Chinese privet, Chinese wax leaved privet, Chinese wax-leaf privet, Chinese white-wax tree, glossy privet, large leaf privet, large-leaved privet, ligustrum, Nepal privet, privet, tree privet, giant privet, wax tree privet, privet fruit, Chinese Ligustrum, Dong Qing Zi, white wax tree |
| Name in Other Languages | Afrikaans: Chinese liguster, Blink liguster, Shinese liguster Albanian: Ligustra, voshtër Armenian: Kipros p’aylun (Կիպրոս փայլուն) Azerbaijani: Pаrlаq birgöz Basque: Beltxale distiratsu Catalan: Troana Chinese: Nu zhen (女楨) Croatian: Kalina English: Chinese privet, Chinese wax-leaf privet, Glossy privet, Broad-leaf-privet, Giant privet, Glossy-privet, Large-leaf privet, Ligustrum, Tree privet, White waxtree, Chinese liguster, Wax-leaved privet Estonian: Läikiv liguster Finnish: Kiiltolikusteri French: Troène du Japon, Troène luisant, Troène de Chine, troène brilliant, troène à feuilles brillantes German: Glänzender Liguster, Glanzliguster Italian: Ligustro lucido Japanese: Tō-nezumimochi (トウネズミモチ) Korean: Dang gwang na mu (당광나무), je ju gwang na mu (제주광나무) Norwegian: Blankliguster Persian: لیگاستروم لوسیدم Polish: Ligustr lśniący Portuguese: Alfeneiro, Alfeneiro-brilhante, Alfeneiro-da-china, Alfenheiro-do-japão, Ligustro Russian: Biryuchina blestyashchaya (бирючина блестящая) Spanish: Ligustro, Trueno, alheña elevada, aligustre del Japón, capicuerno, malmadurillo, matahombres Swedish: Glansliguster Ukrainian: Byryuchyna blyskucha (бирючина блискуча) |
| Plant Growth Habit | Small to medium, hardy, fast-growing, deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen shrub or round-headed tree |
| Growing Climates | Forests, forest edges, coastal cliffs, waste places, margins of remnant forest stands, gardens, roadsides, river valleys, open woodlands, grasslands, rainforests, disturbed areas, alongside waterways, rainforests, gullies, creek banks, pastures, wet forests, farm hedgerows, shrub lands, gardens, riverbanks, wetlands and coastal dunes |
| Plant Size | 4-12 m tall with a 8 -12 m spread, but occasionally a large tree reaching up to 25 m in height |
| Root | Root system is shallow but extensive |
| Bark | Bark is smooth gray-brown, numerous lighter, horizontal lenticels. |
| Twigs | Slender, fuzzy, grey brown, very small buds; often many, opposite thorn like dead twigs persist. |
| Leaf | Leaves are evergreen to semi-deciduous and are oppositely arranged (two leaves per node) along the stem on nodes that are usually less than one inch apart. The leaves vary from egg-shaped in outline (i.e. ovate) to oval (i.e. elliptic) in shape and are borne on short stalks (i.e. petioles) 10-30 mm long |
| Flowering season | August to September |
| Flower | Flowers are about 6 mm across and are white or cream in color and have four petals (2-5 mm long) that are fused at the base into a very short tube (i.e. corolla tube). They also have four tiny sepals (1.5-2 mm long) and two stamens. |
| Fruit Shape & Size | Oval or round drupes that is 5-10 mm long and 4-6 mm wide |
| Fruit Color | Initially pale green turning to bluish-black or purplish-black in color as they mature |
| Flavor/Aroma | Strong, unpleasant odor |
| Taste | Bitter, Sweet |
| Plant Parts Used | Leaves, Flowers |
| Propagation | By seed and by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter |
| Season | September to October |
| Culinary Uses |
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Plant Description
Chinese privet is a small to medium, hardy, fast-growing, deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen shrub or round-headed tree that normally grows about 4-12 m tall with a 8 -12 m spread, but occasionally a large tree reaching up to 25 m in height. The plant is found growing in forests, forest edges, coastal cliffs, waste places, margins of remnant forest stands, gardens, roadsides, river valleys, open woodlands, grasslands, rainforests, disturbed areas, alongside waterways, rainforests, gullies, creek banks, pastures, wet forests, farm hedgerows, shrub lands, gardens, riverbanks, wetlands and coastal dunes. Its root system is shallow but extensive. Suckers are readily produced and the plants can spread vegetatively in this fashion. The plants branch abundantly and the branches typically arch gently downward. Its twigs are usually densely hairy (pubescent) when young and the plant hairs (trichomes) spread at right angles from the twig surface. Raised, tan-colored lenticels are also evident on the twig’s surface.
Stems
The stems and leaves are hairless (i.e. glabrous) and the younger stems are rounded (i.e. terete) and greenish in color. Older stems and branches usually develop a relatively smooth greyish-coloued bark as they mature, which is loosely covered with small white raised structures (i.e. lenticels). However, the fruit-bearing branches often turn orange or reddish in color.
Leaves
Chinese privet leaves are evergreen to semi-deciduous and are oppositely arranged (two leaves per node) along the stem on nodes that are usually less than one inch apart. The leaves vary from egg-shaped in outline (i.e. ovate) to oval (i.e. elliptic) in shape and are borne on short stalks (i.e. petioles) 10-30 mm long. These leaves are 4-24 cm long and 2.5-8 cm wide and are hairless (i.e. glabrous), leathery in texture. Their upper surfaces are dark green and glossy in appearance, while their undersides are paler and duller (i.e. the leaves are discolors). They have entire margins, pointed tips (i.e. acute apices) and rounded (i.e. obtuse) bases. Hairs occur along the mid vein and occasionally on branch veins of the lower surfaces.
| Leaf arrangement | Opposite/sub-opposite |
| Leaf type | Simple |
| Leaf margin | Entire |
| Leaf shape | Ovate, lanceolate |
| Leaf venation | Pinnate |
| Leaf type and persistence | Evergreen, broadleaf evergreen |
| Leaf blade length | 2 to 4 inches, 4 to 8 inches |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Fall color | Not showy |
| Fall characteristic | Not showy |
Flowers
The flowers occur in numerous, cone shaped, branching clusters (panicles) two to four inches long that profusely cover the shrub when flowering. Short, slender stalk (pedicel) supports each flower. The small flowers are about 6 mm across and are white or cream in color and have four petals (2-5 mm long) that are fused at the base into a very short tube (i.e. corolla tube). They also have four tiny sepals (1.5-2 mm long) and two stamens. These flowers are borne in large branched clusters (8-25 cm long) at the tips of the branches (i.e. in terminal panicles). They are borne directly on the branches of the flower clusters or on short stalks (i.e. pedicels) 1-3 mm long (i.e. they are sessile or sub-sessile). The flowers produce a somewhat disagreeable aroma. Flowering occurs mostly during August to September.
| Flower color | White/cream/gray |
| Flower characteristics | Showy |
Fruits
Fertile flowers are followed by small fruit that is 5-10 mm long and 4-6 mm wide and are berry-like (actually drupes). They are initially pale green turning to bluish-black or purplish-black in color as they mature. These fruit are oval (i.e. ellipsoid) or round (i.e. globular) and each usually contains two seeds. The seeds have a ribbed surface and are about 5 mm long. Fruit are present during autumn and winter.
| Fruit shape | Oval, round |
| Fruit length | Less than .5 inch |
| Fruit covering | Fleshy |
| Fruit color | Purple, blue |
| Fruit characteristics | Attracts birds; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem |
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Health benefits of Chinese privet extract
Increasing lingustrin levels through Ligustrum lucidum extract supplementation can provide many health benefits. The following are among the primary benefits of taking Ligustrum lucidum extract for long periods of time through supplementation
1. Improve vision
Research has concluded that certain compounds in Chinese privet extract other than lingustrin help to improve vision and prevent certain eye disorders including macular degeneration. It may also help prevent blurring of vision brought about by aging and other causative factors. Experts also say that Chinese privet extract may prevent wavering of vision, particularly among elderly individuals.
2. Treat chronic inflammation
Chronic or long-term inflammation or infection caused by underlying health conditions can be treated with Chinese privet extract, according to recent research. As a potential anti-inflammatory agent, experts say that the extract may be included in medical formulations indicated for inflammatory health conditions in the years to come.
3. Help HIV patients
Patients who are suffering from HIV are at high risk for various infections due to the immuno suppressing effects of the microbial disease. Research has concluded that Chinese privet extract supplementation may be effective in preventing rapid spread of infection among patients with HIV.
Traditional uses and benefits of Chinese privet
- Chinese privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years.
- The fruit is antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-tumor, cardio-tonic, diuretic and tonic.
- It is taken internally in the treatment of complaints associated with weak kidney and liver energy such as menopausal problems (especially premature menopause), blurred vision, cataracts, tinnitus, rheumatic pains, palpitations, backache and insomnia.
- Modern research has shown that the plant increases the white blood cell count and is of value when used to prevent bone marrow loss in cancer chemotherapy patients, it also has potential in the treatment of AIDS.
- Extracts of the plant show anti-tumor activity.
- Fruit has been used in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease and hepatitis.
- It is often decocted with other herbs in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and also as a general tonic.
- Leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary.
- Bark of the stems is diaphoretic.
- Chinese privet is a Chinese medicinal herb used to treat poor vision, dizziness, fever, and insomnia, and to increase immune function in cancer patients.
- Traditionally, the plant is used to treat diminished eyesight, dizziness, fever, and insomnia.
- Some herbalists also use it to treat side effects caused by chemotherapy and to increase immune function in cancer patients.
- Fruit is commonly used in the traditional Chinese medicine as a kidney tonic.
- They are also used to cure fatigue and treat dropsy.
- Leaves are used to heal abscesses, cold, congestions and headaches.
- In traditional Chinese medicine seeds are supposed to nourish liver and kidney yin and jing in the treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo (dizziness), premature graying of the hair and soreness/weakness of the lower back and knees.
- They are also used in the treatment of disorders of the eye involving red or dry eyes, blurred vision, and pain.
- It was used for a wide range of conditions, including premature aging and ringing in the ears.
- It is used to enhance white blood cell counts after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
- Chinese privet is used for promoting growth and darkening of hair, reducing facial dark spots, rapid heartbeat, achy joints, swelling, tumors, dizziness, common cold, congestion, constipation, deafness, fever, headache, liver disease, trouble sleeping, chronic fatigue syndrome, promoting youthfulness, and extending lifespan.
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ligustrum is often combined with astragalus root to combat long term weakness, chronic illness or deficiency, and many degenerative ailments such as general immune weakness.
Other Facts
- Commercial insect wax is produced on the branches as a result of eggs being laid by insects.
- Wax is produced by the plant due to the stimulation of the feeding insects.
- It is used for candles and as a polish for earthenware pots, book edges etc.
- The plant can be used as a hedge.
- It is very amenable to trimming.
- Due to its fast growth and wide tolerance to environmental conditions, L. lucidum and its varieties are widely used in horticulture for hedging and ornamental purposes.
- Bunches of mature fruit are also used in flower arrangements.
- It is a symbol of chastity in China and has been extensively cultivated since ancient times for various cultural and medicinal purposes, such as culturing wax-insects to obtain white wax.
- The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use.
Prevention and Control
Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product’s label.
Control Methods
Cultural/Physical
Hands pull young seedlings and small plants. Larger plants may need to be dug out. Plants should be pulled as soon as possible, before they produce seeds. The entire root must be removed to prevent resprouting. Replace with native plants.
Mechanical
For smaller infestations or areas where herbicide applications are not possible mowing and cutting are appropriate. Stems should be cut as close to the ground as possible at least once per growing season. Mowing and cutting will not eradicate Ligustrum spp., but it will provide some level of management. Continuous mowing will work, but frequency is key.
Biological
Although no classical biological control agents have been developed, the non-native seed attacking Ligustrum weevil has been found in established populations. Learn more.
Chemical
Cut stump should be considered when treating individual shrubs. Immediately after cutting stems at or near ground level apply herbicide being careful to cover the entire surface. Effectiveness of the herbicide is increased if holes are cut in the top of the freshly felled stump. 25% Garlon 3A or 25% glyphosate product.
Precautions
- The fruit is mildly toxic.
- Although no other reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, it is quite probable that other parts of the plant also contain toxins.
- It may cause runny nose, asthma, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- Avoid if you are suffering from diarrhea due to spleen and stomach deficiency leading to cold.
- If you are taking Chinese privet then do not take anti-diabetic medications as it may cause hypoglycemia because Chinese privet lowers your blood glucose levels.
References:
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=503450#null
http://www.hear.org/pier/species/ligustrum_lucidum.htm
https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Ligustrum+lucidum
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/ligustrum-lucidum
https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/30751
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282962
https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/LIGLU
https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/ligustrum_lucidum.htm
https://spain.inaturalist.org/taxa/77740-Ligustrum-lucidum
https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=LILU2
https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_lisi.pdf