Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

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

Figured are large glossy leaves and terminal panicle of tiny white flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.2565, 1825.

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