Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet; syn. L. villosum; in Mandarin: 杻; pinyin: chǒu) is a species of flowering plant in the family Oleaceae. This privet is native to China, Taiwan and Vietnam, and invasive in Réunion, the Andaman Islands, Norfolk Island, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and much of the eastern and southern United States (from Texas and Florida north to Kansas, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut). The name "Chinese privet" may also refer to Ligustrum lucidum.
Description
Ligustrum sinense is a deciduous shrub growing to 2–7 m (6.5–23 ft) tall, with densely hairy shoots. The leaves are opposite, 2–7 cm (0.7–2.7 in) long and 1–3 cm (0.3–1.1 in) broad, rarely larger, with an entire margin and a 2–8 mm (0.07–0.31 in) petiole. The flowers are white, with a four-lobed corolla 3.5–5.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The fruit is subglobose, 5–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) diameter, and considered poisonous.
