A very popular landscaping plant and one of the most prevalent invasive plants in the southeastern U.S. This deciduous shrub is native to China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The leaves are small and opposite. The flowers appear in spring and are white, with a four-lobed corolla. Its berries or “drupes” are a dark purple. Privet is a successful invasive species because of its ability to outcompete and therefore displace native vegetation. It is sold commercially including various cultivars but should be avoided.
It was introduced to North America to be used for hedges and landscaping where it has now escaped from cultivation and is listed as an invasive plant in southeastern states. It is estimated that Chinese privet now occupies over one million hectares of land across 12 states ranging from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas, with detrimental effects to biodiversity and forest health.
Least Concern
