Ligustrum japonicum, commonly known as Japanese Privet, is an evergreen tree or shrub native to various habitats including marshes, forests, and deserts in East Asia, specifically regions of Japan, Korea, and surrounding islands. It typically grows to a height of 2–5 meters, occasionally reaching up to 6 meters, and features smooth, pale grey-brown bark on its stems. The plant was introduced to North America in the early 19th century and has since become invasive, particularly in the southern United States.

Japanese Privet is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe and North America, with several garden cultivars such as ’Rotundifolium’, characterized by its broad leaves, and ’Silver Star’, notable for its creamy-white leaf margins. It produces white flowers in the spring and summer seasons. In terms of cultivation, it thrives best in full sun or part shade, requires low amounts of water, and can adapt to soils with varying drainage speeds, from fast to slow. However, it’s important to note that Ligustrum japonicum is potentially invasive outside its native range, including in the United States, and should be grown with caution.CC BY-SA 4.0