NPSpecies

Data Source: White and Pyne 2003

Native Range: Native to Europe, northern Africa, and temperate Asia (GRIN 2001).; Data Source: http://plants.usda.gov, 10 August 2007 Legacy NPSpecies information may no longer be applicable, please remove if it is not applicable. In legacy NPSpecies Weedy value was Yes with comment: Disturbed places (Weakley 2007) In legacy NPSpecies Pest value was Yes with comment: Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium. I-Rank Reasons Summary: Ligustrum vulgare is established across the eastern U.S. and in scattered western states. It is a stout and much branched shrub up to 5 m tall that is widely used as a hedge. Ligustrum vulgare is extremely agressive and escapes from cultivation. It forms dense and impenetrable thickets that crowd out native species. Apparently, it often occurs in disturbed situations but may also occur in more intact vegetation such as river bottoms, closed canopy forests, and calcareous glades and barrens. Ligustrum vulgare is commonly escaped in the northeastern U.S. In Tennesse and Kentucky, Ligustrum vulgare is listed as a severe threat. In the southern Williametter Valley or Oregon, Ligustrum vulgare is classified as having a medium impact on native vegetation. Ligustrum vulgare is a prolific seed producer. At Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore it produces more than 1000 seeds per plant. Birds can spread seeds far from the orginal planting. Ligustrum vulgare also colonizes by root sprouts. Once established, Ligustrum vulgare is difficult to control.

Park Species Data Source: Rogers 2000; White and Pyne 2003