Chinese Privet, Glossy privet, White Wax Tree, Tree Ligustrum

Ligustrum lucidum

Physical Characteristics

Ligustrum lucidum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 10 m (32ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[179]. The shoots contain a glycoside and are probably toxic[K].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiseptic Antitumor Cardiotonic Diaphoretic Diuretic Febrifuge Miscellany Ophthalmic Pectoral Tonic Vulnerary Chinese privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years[238]. The fruit is antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumour, cardiotonic, diuretic and tonic[147, 176, 178, 238]. It is taken internally in the treatment of complaints associated with weak kidney and liver energy such as menopausal problems (especially premature menopause), blurred vision, cataracts, tinnitus, rheumatic pains, palpitations, backache and insomnia[147, 238]. Modern research has shown that the plant increases the white blood cell count and is of value when used to prevent bone marrow loss in cancer chemotherapy patients[176, 178, 238], it also has potential in the treatment of AIDS[238]. Extracts of the plant show antitumour activity[218]. Good results have also been achieved when the fruit has been used in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, Parkinson's disease and hepatitis[238]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use[238]. It is often decocted with other herbs in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and also as a general tonic[218]. Some caution is advised in their use, since the fruits are toxic when eaten in quantity[238]. The leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary[218]. The bark of the stems is diaphoretic[218].

Known Hazards

The fruit is mildly toxic[238]. Although no other reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, it is quite probable that other parts of the plant also contain toxins[65].