Weed Identification

Australia > QLD > South Eastern Queensland (IBRA) > Broad-Leaved Privet

Broad-Leaved Privet

Ligustrum lucidum

Alternative Name(s): Large-leaved Privet.

Family: Oleaceae.

Form: Tree

Origin: Native of China.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers: Flowerhead dense, branched (panicle) 15–25 cm long. Flowers fragrant with 4 white petals, each 3–5 mm long. Flowers mostly in summer.

Description: Shrub or tree to 12 metres tall. Berry 6–8 mm long, purple-black and succulent when ripe. Seeds dark-brown, finely pitted, about 5 mm long. Fruits in autumn and winter.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by plants being hairless; small branches with whitish corky areas—pores in stem—through which gaseous exchange takes place (lenticels); leaves 4–13 cm long, 3–6 cm wide on stalks 1–2 cm long. Leaves ovate to elliptic, leaf edges without teeth or lobes, paler green on lower surface.

Dispersal: Fruit eaten by birds, especially Currawongs, and seeds dispersed in their droppings.


Dense foliage & mature fruit
photo J.R. Hosking

Notes: Was cultivated in 1857 at Camden Park, probably as a hedge plant. Now a widespread weed of coastal bush and wasteland; also extending to the western slopes of NSW and adjacent areas in Old. Pollen of this plant is spread by insects and is unlikely to cause allergic reactions in humans. Leaves and berries are suspected of poisoning stock and berries of poisoning children but there is no proof of toxicity. Broad-leaved Privet invades bushland, especially along streams. It effectively stops bank erosion, but outcompetes native streambank vegetation. Pale timber has potential for light furniture manufacture.

References:

    Flora of NSW. G. Harden (ed), Vol. 3, 1992, page 473. Weeds. B. Auld and R. Medd, 1987, pages 191–192.

Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.

Seedlings
Flowering trees near Molong, NSW in January
Mature fruit & seed
photo J.R. Hosking

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card T02

More information about WEEDeck is available from Sainty & Associates Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia > QLD > South Eastern Queensland (IBRA) > Broad-Leaved Privet

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