European privet - Ligustrum vulgare

Habitat

• native to Europe and northern Africa

• this species is widely naturalized throughout the eastern half of the United States

Habit and Form

• a medium sized deciduous shrub

• stout multibranched shrub

• 12' to 15' tall

• equal width

• coarse texture

• fast growth rate

Summer Foliage

• simple, deciduous leaves

• opposite leaf arrangement

• lanceolate leaf shape

• 1" to 2.5" long

• smooth leaf margins

• dark green leaf color

Flowers

• white, terminal panicles

• strong odor

• blooms in mid-June

• 1" to 3" long

Fruit

• black fruit

• 0.33" drupe

• ripens in early September

• persists

Bark

• thin stems

• gray-brown bark color

• smooth

Effects:

Every part of the plant is poisonous to humans

Toxic effects:

If a part of the plant is eaten, the following symptoms or effects might occur: gastrointestinal inflammation, vomiting, nausea, convulsions, circulatory problems, death.
(Although there were some cases where these symptoms were very mild, or didn't show at all.)

Irritation of the skin might occur when cutting the leaves or the bark of the plant.

The concoction made from the bark is only to be used externally. It can be used to treat illnesses of the gingiva, but it can also be gargalized to treat a sore throat.

Sponsors:

Ministry of National Resources

University of Szeged

KEFAG Zrt.

Future of Europe Association