L. japonicum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• japanese-privet
• Japanese privet
• Japanese wax-leaf privet
• wax-leaf privet
• Japanese Wax-Leaved Privette
• Japanese Wax-leaved Privet
• wax-leaf ligustrum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ligustrum japonicum f. leucocarpum
• Ligustrum rotundifolium
• Ligustrum japonicum var. aureovariegatum
• Ligustrum glabrum aureovariegatum
• Ligustrum macrophyllum var. marginatum-aureum
• Ligustrum taquetii
• Ligustrum japonicum var. crassifolium
• Ligustrum japonicum var. lineare
• Ligustrum japonicum tricolor
• Ligustrum ovatum
• Ligustrum japonicum var. syaryotense
• Ligustrum japonicum var. spathulatum
• Ligustrum japonicum f. difformis
• Ligustrum kellerianum
• Ligustrum glabrum
• Ligustrum japonicum f. tricolor
• Ligustrum japonicum var. repens
• Ligustrum macrophyllum
• Ligustrum japonicum var. leucocarpum
• Ligustrum japonicum var. pubescens
• Ligustrum rotundifolium var. pubescens
• Ligustrum japonicum var. rotundifolium
• Ligustrum lucidum var. coriaceum
• Ligustrum japonicum var. coriaceum
• Ligustrum amamianum
• Ligustridium japonicum
• Ligustrum coriaceum
• Ligustrum sieboldii
• Ligustrum syringiflorum
• Ligustrum syringifolium
• Ligustrum japonicum f. pubescens
• Ligustrum latifolium
• Ligustrum japonicum f. rotundifolium
• Ligustrum amamianum var. rotundifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Oleaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Ligustrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of the world. In East Asia, its presence is noted in Japan and the Nansei-shotō islands. It is also commonly found throughout the Korean peninsula. Moving towards the mainland, the species can be located in Southeast China. Additionally, its range extends much further south to include Lesotho in Southern Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ligustrum japonicum is characterized by its adaptability to various environments, though it is notably utilized as an ornamental species within gardens across the southern regions of the former USSR. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the species exhibits a significant presence across varied terrains, with recorded elevations reaching a maximum of 1430 m AMSL, while maintaining an average elevational range of approximately 2650 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1430 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2650 m AMSL

Habitat :

Grown for ornament in gardens in the south of the USSR.

Life history

The life history of Ligustrum japonicum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, allowing it to establish a robust structural presence. Furthermore, it exhibits the growth habit of a nanophanerophyte, typically characterized by relatively short woody stems. The plant maintains a consistent foliage profile throughout the year due to its evergreen deciduousness, retaining its leaves to facilitate continuous metabolic processes across varying seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ligustrum japonicum is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial and independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana, vine, or climber. The plant exhibits significant variation in size, with a height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 5 meters, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 3.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ligustrum japonicum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by its leaf morphology, where the leaves exhibit a mean length of 6.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. The width of the leaves shows a similar variability, with a mean measurement of 3.75 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 5 cm. These morphological dimensions, coupled with its C3 metabolism, dictate the plant's efficiency in gas exchange and its adaptation to its specific environmental niche.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.75 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ligustrum japonicum is characterized by a specific flowering season and the production of fleshy fruits. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, with the flowers arranged in inflorescences that range in length from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.17 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fleshy fruits that vary in size; the fruit length typically averages 0.9 cm, ranging from 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, while the fruit width averages 0.65 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. The seeds contained within these fruits possess a consistent seed volume of 24 mm³. Regarding seed mass, the plant exhibits variability, with a mean seed mass of 0.067225 g, though individual seeds can range from a minimum of 0.0131 g to a maximum of 0.029 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.17 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Seed mass max:

0.029 g

Seed mass mean:

0.067225 g

Seed mass min:

0.0131 g

Seed volume max:

24 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ligustrum japonicum has 77 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Oleuropein, 10-Hydroxyoleuropein, ARSENIC, Acetyl oleanolic acid, CALCIUM.

Oleuropein

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

10-Hydroxyoleuropein

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Acetyl oleanolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Ligustaloside A

1. Dr. Duke

Ligustaloside B

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ligustrum japonicum has 478 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Adaptogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke