Ligustrum lucidum
| Ligustrum lucidum | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 33' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ligustrum lucidum (common name: chinese privet)
Propagation: The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[2].
Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage[2].
Cultivation: A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished or water-logged[3][4]. Dislikes strongly alkaline soils[5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun and also in deep shade[5]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[6][3].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5].
A moderately fast-growing plant[5]. It is very tolerant of trimming and will regrow even from very old stems if it is cut back hard[5].
A very ornamental plant[6], there are some named varieties[5]. The variegated cultivars are best grown in full sun[7].
This plant is a symbol of chastity in China[8].
Closely related to L. japonicum[9].
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[9].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Roadsides and in river valleys[10]. Woods below 2900 metres[11].
Edibility: Young shoots - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[12]. The shoots contain a glycoside and are probably toxic[K].
Medicinal: Chinese privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years[7]. The fruit is antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumour, cardiotonic, diuretic and tonic[13][14][8][7]. 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[13][7]. 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[14][8][7], it also has potential in the treatment of AIDS[7]. Extracts of the plant show antitumour activity[15]. Good results have also been achieved when the fruit has been used in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, Parkinson's disease and hepatitis[7].
The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use[7]. It is often decocted with other herbs in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and also as a general tonic[15]. Some caution is advised in their use, since the fruits are toxic when eaten in quantity[7].
The leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary[15].
The bark of the stems is diaphoretic[15].
Usage: A commercial insect wax is produced on the branches as a result of eggs being laid by insects[3]. Another report says that the wax is produced by the plant due to the stimulation of the feeding insects[16]. Yet another report says that the wax is produced by the insects[8]. It is used for candles and as a polish for earthenware pots, book edges etc[8].
The plant can be used as a hedge[3]. It is very amenable to trimming.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: The fruit is mildly toxic[7]. 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[17].
Links
References
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Wilson, Ernest and Charles Sargent. Plantae Wilsonianae.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.