Wild Privet
Wild Privet flower spike
4-petalled flowers, anthers
Flowers from top of corolla - stamens
Corollas from side
Unripe fruits
Ripe fruits
Leaves, smooth bark
Ligustrum vulgare
Oleaceae
Common Privet
June to July
It is found throughout the country.
For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway
It grows in hedgerows, woodland and scrub, with a preference
for well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils.
It is also a garden escape and a relic plant.
Wild Privet is a native, semi-evergreen shrub growing up to 5m.
Creamy, white flowers are in panicles (spikes) up to 6cm.
The corolla is funnel-shaped and the divided part of the corolla is
either shorter or the same length as the limb.
The cream, and later brown, anthers overtop the 4 turned-back
divided part of the flower.
The flowers are sweet smelling.
Fruits are black and oily when ripe.
Leaves are slightly leathery, lanceolate and rounded at the ends,
with short petioles (stalks).
Garden Privet, L. ovalifolium, has wider, more oval leaves, and
the divided part of the flower is 2-3 x longer than the tubular part.
The anthers do not overtop the corolla.
Garden Privet can occur as a naturalised escape, when it is
usually a garden escape or a relic of cultivation.
Previous page: Wild Parsnip
Next page: Wood Dock
Wild Privet flower spike
4-petalled flowers, anthers
Flowers from top of corolla - stamens
Corollas from side
Unripe fruits
Ripe fruits
Leaves, smooth bark
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