Practical
Plants

Ligustrum vulgare

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
3 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.

Poisonous[1], though the toxicity is of a very low order and normally the consumption of the fruit leads to vomiting or no symptoms at all[14].

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.

The leaves are astringent, bitter, detergent, vulnerary[15][9]. Internal use of this plant should be avoided since it can produce allergic symptoms[15]. Externally it is a safe and effective treatment[15]. The bark has been used as a stomachic[15], though this is not really recommended.

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Detergent
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

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

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[12], from the bark according to other reports[10][13]. A bluish-green dye is obtained from the berries[12][10][13], it is more permanent than most greens[5]. A black dye can also be obtained from the fruit[13] as well as an ink[10][13]. Wood - hard, close-grained. It is valuable for turning if it reaches sufficient size[5] and can also be used to make small tools[10][13]. The wood is a source of charcoal[10][13]. The young twigs are used in basketry and hurdle making[10][13][2].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.
Habitat
Open woodland, hedges and scrub, often by the sea and usually on calcareous soils[1][6][11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Sow the seed in spring in a cold frame. Stored seed germinates better if it is stratified,[4]. Remove any fruit flesh from around the seed before it is sown since this can inhibit germination[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in outdoor seed beds in the autumn. You can leave the plants to grow on in the seedbed for up to 4 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[16]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December[16]. The cuttings can also be placed in situ if required. High percentage[16].

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 very impoverished[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a calcareous soil and succeeds in thin dry soils[7]. Grows well in light woodland or the full shade of a wall but flowers and fruits best in a sunny position[7]. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution, once established they also tolerate drought but are intolerant of water-logging[7]. A suckering shrub, forming dense thickets and making good bird cover[7]. An important food plant for many caterpillars, including the larvae of the privet hawk moth[7]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[8].

References

  1. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩1↩2

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  7. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  12. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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