Ligustrum obtusifolium

Ligustrum obtusifolium (border privet^[1] or Amur privet^[2]) is a species of privet, native to Japan, Korea and northeastern China (Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang).^[3][4] The species is considered invasive in parts of the United States. It has become very common in southern New England, the mid-Atlantic States, and the Great Lakes regions, with scattered occurrences in the South, the Great Plains, and Washington state.^[5][6] With Ligustrum ovalifolium it is a parent of the widespread hybrid Ligustrum × ibolium.^[7]

Ligustrum obtusifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Oleaceae
Genus:	Ligustrum
Species:	L. obtusifolium
Binomial name
Ligustrum obtusifolium Siebold & Zucc.
Synonyms
Ligustrum amurense Carrière

Ligustrum obtusifolium is a deciduous shrub growing to 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall. The leaves are 1 to 6 centimetres (0.39 to 2.36 in) long and 4 to 25 millimetres (0.16 to 0.98 in) broad.^[3][8]

There are three subspecies:^[3]

• Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. obtusifolium. Japan.
• Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. microphyllum (Nakai) P.S.Green. Eastern China, Korea, Japan.
• Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. suave (Kitagawa) Kitagawa. Northeastern China.

Etymology

Ligustrum means ‘binder’. It was named by Pliny and Virgil.^[9]