Flora of New Zealand Series

Erect, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes forming small or medium-sized trees. Shoots ± terete, prominently lenticellate. Winter buds inconspicuous. Lvs opposite, simple, entire. Infl. a terminal panicle of small, ⚥, usually scented fls. Calyx 4-lobed, campanulate, small. Corolla 4-lobed, salverform; tube sometimes much > the valvate lobes. Stamens 2, included or exserted, epipetalous; filaments short. Style < stamens; stigma 2-lobed. Fr. a berry-like drupe, black or very dark, 1-4-seeded.

c. 40 spp., Europe to E. Asia and S. to Queensland. Naturalised spp. 4.

Although pollen of privets, especially that from L. lucidum and L. sinense, is popularly held to cause hayfever, this is very unlikely to be true because the fls are entomophilous. It is relevant to note that privet flowering coincides with the main flowering period of some common grasses.

Fig. 92. Fls of Ligustrum. A L. lucidum; B L. ovalifolium; C L. sinense. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X6L]