ExplorePlants

Chinese privet

Ligustrum sinense

Chinese privet is a bushy plant with shiny green leaves. It can grow tall and has small white flowers that smell sweet. This plant is often found in gardens and parks.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Chinese privet is a dense shrub or small tree with small, oval, dark green leaves. It produces abundant clusters of tiny, creamy-white, fragrant flowers, followed by small, shiny, dark blue to black berries.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyOleaceaeGenusLigustrum
Chinese privet
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Chinese privet

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Chinese privet is so resilient, it can grow back even after being heavily cut down!

In warm places, this plant keeps its green leaves all year!

Its tiny white flowers release a powerful, sweet scent that can fill the air in spring!

The berries slowly change from green to purple-black, a tasty snack for many birds!

Special abilities

Ability

Rapid Growth Spurt

Chinese privet can grow incredibly fast, allowing it to quickly outcompete other plants for space and sunlight.

Ability

Living Wall Builder

This plant forms thick, tangled branches, creating dense shelters for small animals and hiding places for birds.

Ability

Berry Broadcast

Its dark berries are eaten by birds, helping Chinese privet spread its seeds far and wide to new locations.

Measurements & details

Height
300-700 cm
Spread
150-400 cm
Flower Size
0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Do not eat any berries from this plant without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Chinese privet?

300-700 cm

How wide does Chinese privet spread?

150-400 cm

How big are the flowers on Chinese privet?

0.3-0.5 cm

When does Chinese privet bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is Chinese privet edible?

No

Is Chinese privet toxic?

Mild

What is Chinese privet's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Chinese privet pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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