Practical
Plants

Ligustrum obtusifolium

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
Height
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.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus is recorded as being mildly toxic and it is quite possible that other members of the genus also contain toxins[12].

Edible uses

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

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[11][4]. Leaves are a tea substitute[4].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Tea

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[2]. Another report says that the wax is produced by the plant due to the stimulation of the feeding insects[11]. Yet another report says that the wax is produced by the insects[5]. It is used for candles and as a polish for earthenware pots, book edges etc[5]. The sub-species L. obtusifolium regelianum and its cultivar 'Dart's Perfection' make a good carpeting ground cover about 1.2 metres tall. They should be spaced about 2.5 metres apart each way[8].

Product or use
Wax

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Thin woods and thickets in lowland and hills all over Japan[10]. Hills, gullies and woods at elevations of 100 - 600 metres in China[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
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[3]. 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[13]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage[13].

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[2][6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A very ornamental plant[1]. Polymorphic[10]. Prefers hotter summers than are normally experienced in Britain[2]. Closely related to L. ovalifolium[7]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

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

    ↩

  10. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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