Ligustrum lucidum

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Ligustrum lucidum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Oleaceae
Tribe: Oleeae
Genus: Ligustrum
Species: L. lucidum
Binomial name
Ligustrum lucidum
W.T.Aiton

Ligustrum lucidum (Chinese privet, glossy privet or broad-leaf privet)[1] is a species of flowering plant, a privet (Ligustrum genus) in the olive family Oleaceae, native to the southern half of China. The Latin lucidum means bright or shiny, and refers to the glossy leaves.

Description

It is a small evergreen tree growing to 10 m (33 ft) tall and broad. The leaves are opposite, glossy dark green, 6–17 centimetres (2.4–6.7 in) long and 3–8 centimetres (1.2–3.1 in) broad. The flowers are similar to other privets, white or near white, borne in panicles, and unpleasantly pungent.[2]

This plant[3] and the variegated cultivar 'Excelsum Superbum'[4] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Uses

The plant is often used as an ornamental tree, sometimes in variegated forms. However it has become an invasive species in some areas where it has been introduced, such as urban areas in the southeastern United States. It is classed as a noxious weed in New South Wales, Australia[1] and is similarly listed in New Zealand's National Pest Plant Accord.

The wood is known as "white wax wood" and was popular in Chinese culture for manufacture of walking sticks and pole weapons.

Ethnomedical Uses

  • Known as Nu Zhen Zi in Chinese, Ligustrum lucidum is also known to the West as the "Wax Tree Privet".
  • The berries are used in traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of "sexual weakness", tinnitus (ringing in the ears), as well as for general fatigue.
  • It is also used to increase the yin of the body.

See also

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Ligustrum lucidum
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ligustrum lucidum.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Weed profile: Privet, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
  2. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964. 
  3. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Ligustrum lucidum". Retrieved 21 May 2013. 
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Ligustrum lucidum 'Excelsum Superbum'". Retrieved 21 May 2013. 

External references

  1. Flora of China: Ligustrum lucidum
  2. Plants for a Future: Ligustrum lucidum

Gallery

  • Ligustrum lucidum flowers

  • Ligustrum lucidum berries

  • Ligustrum lucidum - killed as weeds in an Australian rainforest

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