Ligustrum ovalifolium
California privet
(c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · licence
Family: Oleaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Ligustrum ovalifolium (California privet) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Oleaceae family, recognized by style position and plant size.
California privet is a naturalized shrub found in northern coastal, central coastal, and Sacramento Valley regions in alder woodlands, thickets, and disturbed areas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white flowers in clusters with narrow tube-like corollas. Growing to approximately 4 meters tall with an evergreen habit, the shrub develops dense, upright branching. Its leaves are oval-shaped, 4 to 10 centimeters long with acute to obtuse bases and tips, arranged oppositely on branches. When mature, the shrub produces small white flowers with stamens emerging from narrow corolla tubes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are style position and plant size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alder woodland, thickets, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Marin, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, San Diego
Outside California: native to Japan
Bloom period
Ligustrum ovalifolium blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Sambucus: Ligustrum has simple leaves; Sambucus has compound leaves divided into leaflets.; vs Ficus: Ligustrum has tubular flowers in terminal clusters; Ficus flowers hidden inside fig fruits.; vs Prunus: Ligustrum flowers are tubular with fused petals; Prunus flowers have five separate petals.; vs Lagerstroemia: Ligustrum has simple opposite leaves; Lagerstroemia leaves often appear whorled with crinkled petals.; vs Trachelospermum: Ligustrum is an upright shrub; Trachelospermum is a twining vine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ligustrum ovalifolium native to California?
No. Ligustrum ovalifolium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Ligustrum ovalifolium bloom?
Ligustrum ovalifolium blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Ligustrum ovalifolium grow?
Ligustrum ovalifolium occurs in Marin, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, San Diego, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Ligustrum ovalifolium belong to?
Ligustrum ovalifolium is in the Oleaceae family, genus Ligustrum.
What habitat does Ligustrum ovalifolium grow in?
Ligustrum ovalifolium grows in Alder woodland, thickets, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.