Ligustrum lucidum Ait.
Fully-hardy, conical, evergreen tree or shrub with ovate, tapered, glossy leaves, to 15cm long, and panicles, to 20cm long, of white flowers in summer and autumn, followed by blue-black fruit. An excellent ornamental hedging species. To 10m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’, Beadle].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘This fine shrub was introduced from China, about the year 1794, by the late Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. by whose zeal so many valuable acquisitions were made to our gardens. […] From the berries, which have not been produced here, a vegetable wax is said to be procured in China.’ [BM t.2565/1825].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.638/1850]. A number of other Ligustrum species have been called lucidum, but there is little doubt about the identity of Macarthur’s plant. It is now a major weed in eastern Australia, including the Camden area, infesting large areas of riverside bush in particular. It is a significant weed in the Camden Park garden.
Notes
Ligustrum lucidum Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. (1828-49) = Ligustrum robustum Blume
Ligustrum lucidum Hort. ex K.Koch (1872) = Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.
Published Jan 20, 2010 - 12:19 PM | Last updated Jan 20, 2010 - 12:25 PM
Ligustrum lucidum Ait. | BM t.2565/1825 | BHL
| Family | Oleaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | China, Korea, Japan |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Large-leafed privet, Chinese privet, White wax tree |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Ligustrum lucidum |
| Confidence level | high |