Japanese Privet
Ligustrum japonicum
This tree is native to southern and central Japan and Korea. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree.
Ligustrum japonicum
This tree is native to southern and central Japan and Korea. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree.
About the Japanese Privet
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/japanese-waxwing-bombycilla-japonica/feeding-japanese-privet-berries |
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In Depth...
Description
-Height: 8-12ft
-Spread: 15-25ft
-Crown uniformity: symmetrical
-Crown shape: vase, round, spreading
-Dense
-Growth rate: moderate
-Texture: medium
Foliage
-Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
-Leaf type: simple
-Leaf margin: entire, undulate
-Leaf venation: pinnate
-Leaf type: evergreen, persistant
-Leaf blade length: about 2 to 4 inches
-Color: green, no fall change
Flowers
-Color: white/cream
-Showy
Fruit
-Shape/Length: oval, round; less than .5in
-Color: blue, black, purple
-Characteristics: attracts birds, not showy, not a litter problem
Trunk/Branches
-Branches droop
-Showy
-Multi-trunked/thorns
-Breakage: resistant
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st352
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/biglist_frame.cfm
-Height: 8-12ft
-Spread: 15-25ft
-Crown uniformity: symmetrical
-Crown shape: vase, round, spreading
-Dense
-Growth rate: moderate
-Texture: medium
Foliage
-Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
-Leaf type: simple
-Leaf margin: entire, undulate
-Leaf venation: pinnate
-Leaf type: evergreen, persistant
-Leaf blade length: about 2 to 4 inches
-Color: green, no fall change
Flowers
-Color: white/cream
-Showy
Fruit
-Shape/Length: oval, round; less than .5in
-Color: blue, black, purple
-Characteristics: attracts birds, not showy, not a litter problem
Trunk/Branches
-Branches droop
-Showy
-Multi-trunked/thorns
-Breakage: resistant
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st352
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/biglist_frame.cfm
Ethnobotany
The Japanese Privet is used primarily in landscaping because it grows very easily and its shrubbery is very attractive to the eye. The tree can be found growing outside of houses or even businesses. It is best used as a shrub or hedge, or even sometimes as a small tree to decorate yards. The Japanese Privet can also be planted to decorate decks and patios, to be used as screens, and are very attractive in planters. It is common to see this tree in spa and massage rooms due to its cultural influence, especially in Asia. This shrub is also good for highway medians and planted in sidewalk cutouts.
This tree is also used as a resource for food for many animals such as birds, raccoons and deer. These animals eat the leaves and the fruit from the tree which helps spread the seeds and help the tree reproduce. The Japanese Privet is very fragrant and easy to care for, and is great for mass planting in gardens throughout parts of Europe, Asia and the United States. The fruit can be used for herbal medicines and as a laxative, cardiotonic, diuretic, and as a tonic treatment.
This tree is also used as a resource for food for many animals such as birds, raccoons and deer. These animals eat the leaves and the fruit from the tree which helps spread the seeds and help the tree reproduce. The Japanese Privet is very fragrant and easy to care for, and is great for mass planting in gardens throughout parts of Europe, Asia and the United States. The fruit can be used for herbal medicines and as a laxative, cardiotonic, diuretic, and as a tonic treatment.
Current Research
The Japanese Privet stands from 8 to 12 feet tall and has a spread of 15 to 25 feet. Its flower is a white-cream color and the fruit is a blue round-shaped berry. The tree grows mainly is areas with a lot of sun with a moderate amount of moisture. These areas are usually lat an elevation of 3000 feet. The branches are covered with a brownish grey bark that have some lighter pigments mixed in.
Recently, thermographic analysis has been used to track water distribution in leaves of the Japanese Privet. Scientists used hand warmth to warm the leaves to track the water content of the leaves. After the hand heating, different water contents varied throughout the leaves. There was significant heating the the veins of the leaves which made it possible to detect the water and the thermal state of the leaves.
Recently, thermographic analysis has been used to track water distribution in leaves of the Japanese Privet. Scientists used hand warmth to warm the leaves to track the water content of the leaves. After the hand heating, different water contents varied throughout the leaves. There was significant heating the the veins of the leaves which made it possible to detect the water and the thermal state of the leaves.
Creative Essay
My grandpa use to have a tree that I liked to read next to in the summer. It was a pretty tall tree that was green year round, even when it snowed. The bark was a dark color like the color of my grandpa’s favorite rocking chair. I think that’s why I liked the tree so much, because it reminded me of his rocking chair. I also loved to see all the animals that always came to the tree for food. I would see birds come and take the seeds, and deer come and eat the fruit. One day I looked out the window as soon as I got into my Grandpa’s house and I noticed that the tree wasn’t there anymore. My heart dropped and I walked over to my grandpa and asked why it was gone and he said that the tree died and he had to remove it. I was only left with memories of its beautiful greenery and bark that looked like my grandpas rocking chair.
Apa/Sources Used
Fox, A.M., D.R. Gordon, J.A. Dusky, L. Tyson, and R.K. Stocker (2005) IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas.