Small - Leaved Privet

(Ligustrum Sinense) An evergreen to semi-deciduous (in cooler areas) tree of about five metres at maturity, the Small-Leaved Privet occurs naturally in many regions of south-east Asia and China. Commonly grown as a hedge plant, it is now considered invasive as it has spread to waste land and stream banks. It has small, dark green foliage, occasionally with a wavy margin and white flowers with pinkish-purple pollen bearing parts (anthers) during summer. It is spread mainly by seed dispersed by birds and water.