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Chinese Privet

Ligustrum sinense

Other Common Names

Ligustrum

Plant Category

Shrub, Tree

Invasive Description

Native to China, Chinese Privet is an evergreen shrub to small tree with spreading branches. It has escaped from cultivation and is now found near streams and in old fencerows. Flowers are white, fragrant, about 3/8 inch wide, borne in narrow clusters up to 4 inches long, and appear from March to May. The fruit is berrylike, bluish black, 1/4 inch long by 3/16 inch wide, and held in clusters that persist into winter.

Ecological Threat

Chinese Privet is a troublesome plant, spreading rapidly by prodigious seed dispersal. Dense canopies and evergreen foliage usurp habitat of native trees and shrubs.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions