Ligustrum obtusifolium explained

Ligustrum obtusifolium (border privet or Amur privet) is a species of privet, native to Japan, Korea and northeastern China (Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang).^{[1] [2]} The species is considered invasive in parts of the United States. It has become very common in southern New England, the mid-Atlantic States, and the Great Lakes regions, with scattered occurrences in the South, the Great Plains, and Washington state.^{[3] [4]} With Ligustrum ovalifolium it is a parent of the widespread hybrid Ligustrum × ibolium.^[5]

Ligustrum obtusifolium is a deciduous shrub growing to tall. The leaves are 1cmto6cmcm (00inchesto02inchescm) long and 4mm25mm broad.^{[1] [6]}

There are three subspecies:^[1]

• Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. obtusifolium. Japan.
• Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. microphyllum (Nakai) P.S.Green. Eastern China, Korea, Japan.
• Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. suave (Kitagawa) Kitagawa. Northeastern China.

Etymology

Ligustrum means ‘binder’. It was named by Pliny and Virgil.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Flora of China: Ligustrum obtusifolium
2. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=354228 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Ligustrum obtusifolium
3. Book: Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, 4th Edition . Swearingen . Jil . Reshetiloff . K. . Slattery . B . Zwicker . S. . 2010 . National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service . 71.
4. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Ligustrum%20obtusifolium.png Biota of North America Program, Ligustrum obtusifolium
5. Web site: Ligustrum × ibolium . . Plant Finder . Missouri Botanical Garden . 6 December 2020 .
6. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/12549325#page/714/mode/1up Siebold, Philipp Franz von & Zuccarini, Joseph Gerhard. 1846. Abhandlungen der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe der Königlich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften 4(3): 168
7. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). p 237