Practical
Plants

Ligustrum lucidum

Chinese Privet

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ligustrum genus in the family Oleaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
10 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit is mildly toxic[13]. 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[16].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[8]. The shoots contain a glycoside and are probably toxic[K].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Chinese privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years[13]. The fruit is antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumour, cardiotonic, diuretic and tonic[5][6][7][13]. 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[5][13]. 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[6][7][13], it also has potential in the treatment of AIDS[13]. Extracts of the plant show antitumour activity[12]. Good results have also been achieved when the fruit has been used in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, Parkinson's disease and hepatitis[13]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use[13]. It is often decocted with other herbs in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and also as a general tonic[12]. Some caution is advised in their use, since the fruits are toxic when eaten in quantity[13]. The leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary[12]. The bark of the stems is diaphoretic[12].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A commercial insect wax is produced on the branches as a result of eggs being laid by insects[3]. Another report says that the wax is produced by the plant due to the stimulation of the feeding insects[15]. Yet another report says that the wax is produced by the insects[7]. It is used for candles and as a polish for earthenware pots, book edges etc[7]. The plant can be used as a hedge[3]. It is very amenable to trimming.

Product or use
Wax

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Roadsides and in river valleys[2]. Woods below 2900 metres[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[17]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage[17].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished or water-logged[3][9]. Dislikes strongly alkaline soils[11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun and also in deep shade[11]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[1][3]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[11]. A moderately fast-growing plant[11]. It is very tolerant of trimming and will regrow even from very old stems if it is cut back hard[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[11]. The variegated cultivars are best grown in full sun[13]. This plant is a symbol of chastity in China[7]. Closely related to L. japonicum[10]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  6. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  11. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  14. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  16. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  17. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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