About Ligustrum obtusifolium Siebold & Zucc.
Nomenclature and Common Names
Ligustrum obtusifolium Siebold & Zucc., commonly known as border privet or Amur privet, is a species of privet.
Native Distribution
It is native to Japan, Korea, and northeastern China, specifically occurring in the Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, and Zhejiang.
Invasive Status in the US
This species is classified as invasive in parts of the United States.
US Introduced Range
It has become very common in southern New England, the mid-Atlantic States, and the Great Lakes regions, with scattered populations found in the South, the Great Plains, and Washington state.
Hybrid Parentage
Along with Ligustrum ovalifolium, L. obtusifolium is one of the parent species of the widespread hybrid Ligustrum × ibolium.
Growth Form and Height
L. obtusifolium is a deciduous shrub that grows to 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall.
Leaf Dimensions
Its leaves measure 1 to 6 centimetres (0.39 to 2.36 in) long and 4 to 25 millimetres (0.16 to 0.98 in) broad.
Recognized Subspecies
Three subspecies of L. obtusifolium are recognized: Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. obtusifolium, which is found in Japan; Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. microphyllum (Nakai) P.S.Green, which occurs in eastern China, Korea, and Japan; and Ligustrum obtusifolium subsp. suave (Kitagawa) Kitagawa, which is native to northeastern China.
