INVASIVE FACT SHEET Blunt-leaved Privet

Description: Problem: Origin:

Ligustrum obtusifolium Ligustrum obtusifolium There are approximately is a semi-evergreen to grows readily from seed 50 Ligustrum species , large foliage or from root and stump that are native to Europe, sprouts. It can escape in the olive family. North Africa, and Asia. Its are opposite, from cultivation when Ligustrum spp. have simple, oblong, 1 to 2 the fruits are consumed been cultivated and inches long, dark green by wildlife, particularly above and lighter below birds, which often developed into several with a rounded or blunt excrete the seeds at horticultural varieties, and tip and base. Blunt- distant locations where were introduced to North leaved privet has short they may germinate. It America as a common panicles of white flowers invades natural areas hedge in landscaping. that are often dense, such as floodplain forests Ligustrum obtusifolium is very fragrant and appear and woodlands. It also native to Japan. in late spring. The fruit displaces in is shiny and blue-black regenerating communities with a white waxy bloom, and remains persistent smaller than ¼ inch in in these areas. It forms diameter that ripens in dense thickets that out the fall and persists into compete many kinds of native vegetation. the following Spring. Picture By: Katherine Howe The bark is smooth and grayish brown with short, IPSAWG Ranking: light colored horizontal Pictures By (From top to bottom): Dendrology at Virginia Tech. lenticels.

Distribution: MEDIUM HIGH HIGH

In United States, Invasive Ligustrum obtusifolium are a Threat to: Ecological Potential for Difficulty of can be found throughout Impact Expansion Control the eastern and south- • Forests and central states. It IPSAWG Recommendation: wetlands can be seen along •Do not buy, sell or plant blunt-leaved privet in Indiana. roadsides, in old fields •Help by eradicating blunt-leaved privet on your prop- • and in other disturbed Native plants erty. habitats and in a variety •Also, avoid other species of privet (Ligustrum spp.); of undisturbed natural • Perennial gardens these species are considered invasive in many parts of areas, including bogs, the Midwest. wetlands, floodplains, old • Wildlife fields, calcareous glades This ranking illustrates the results of an assessment conducted and barrens, and mesic • by the Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group Lakes and rivers hardwood forests. In (IPSAWG), which is made up of many organizations and agencies Indiana, privet is locally concerned about invasive plant species. IPSAWG’s goal is to assess • Human Health abundant throughout the which plant species may threaten natural areas in Indiana and develop recommendations to reduce their use in the state. state in riparian forests. • Farmland For more information about IPSAWG and the assessment tool used to rank invasive species, visit their website: Date Prepared: 10/06 www.invasivespecies.IN.gov Control Methods: be very effective. One and 75% horticultural ALTERNATIVES method is to cut stems oil to the basal parts of to Blunt-leaved Privet: Manual, mechanical and at or near ground level the shrub to a height of chemical methods are all and apply a 25% solution 12-15 inches from the useful in varying degrees of glyphosate and water ground. Both methods in controlling Ligustrum or triclopyr and water are effective throughout obtusifolium. Mowing and to the cut stump. The the year. cutting are appropriate second method is to Always read and follow for small populations apply a 25% triclopyr pesticide labels. or environmentally sensitive areas where herbicides cannot be used. It can also be Gray Dogwood effectively controlled by (Cornus racemosa) the manual removal of young seedlings. Plants should be pulled as soon as they are large enough to grasp but before they produce seeds. There are no known biological controls. However, herbicide treatments can A stand of privet. Picture By: The Nature Conservancy.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) Eight Easy Ways to Combat Invasive Plants

You can help stop the spread of invasive plants by following these 8 easy guidelines: 1. Ask for only non- for invasive species, and and natural areas to assist invasive species when you remove invasives before ongoing efforts to diminish acquire plants. Request that they become a problem. If the threat of invasive nurseries and garden plants can’t be removed, plants. centers sell only non- at least prevent them from 7. Help educate your invasive plants. going to seed. community through 2. Seek information on 4. Clean your boots before personal contacts and in invasive plants. Sources and after visiting a natural such settings as garden New Jersey Tea include botanical gardens, area to prevent the spread clubs and civic groups. (Ceanothus americanus) horticulturists, of invasive plant seeds. 8. Support public policies conservationists, and 5. Don’t release aquarium and programs to control government agencies. plants into the wild. invasive plants. 3. Scout your property 6. Volunteer at local parks

For More Information: On this assessment and IPSAWG: IPSAWG www.invasivespecies.IN.gov Ninebark On identification and control techniques: (Physocarpus opulifolius) The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Weeds Pictures By (Top to Bottom): Den- www.tncweeds.ucdavis.edu drology at Virginia Tech and D.E. On native plant alternatives and sources: Herman, Larry Allain and William S. Justice @ USDA - NRCS Plants Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society Database. www.inpaws.org This grant project made possible with United States Forest Service funds administered by the IDNR, Division of Forestry.