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Amur Privet

Ligustrum x amurense

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

privet hedge

leaves, twigs ▲▼

variegated amur privet ▲▼

variegated amur privet ▲▼

Ornamental shrub with variegated leaves

Location near campus:  in a number of old hedges in Phelps Grove neighborhood in the few blocks just south of campus

Amur Privet is an introduced ornamental shrub commonly planted in midwest landscapes that has escaped to invade open woods, roadsides, pastures, urban areas, and can form dense thickets where allowed to spread.

Ligustrum amurense: Amur Privet

·         leaves deciduous, opposite, simple, oblong with entire margin; 1-2" long and 1/3 as wide; dark green above, glabrous, sometimes glossy; leaf undersides dull green

·         stems purplish and pubescent on new growth, gray and glabrous when older

·         flowers small and white and not too showy and perhaps malodorous; fruit is a black drupe

·         grows 15' tall and 2/3 as wide, as an upright shrub

·         prefers full sun to 2 shade; tolerates all but very wet soilsC very adaptable

·         often selected as a hedge plant, but due to fast growth rate, is a high maintenance plant— also if often mis-pruned, causing basal thinning of leaves and a not-too-attractive hedge

·         has escaped cultivation in a number of areas and can be a woodland weed

·         fast growth rate

 

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