Glossy Privet

A large shrub or tree that grows to 30 feet in height, with spreading branches. Ligustrum bark is tan to gray in color with a smooth texture. Leaves are elliptic to ovate to somewhat lanceolate in shape, 3 to 5 inches long, and oppositely arranged on twigs. Flowers have both male and female parts. Each flower has petals fused into a tube with four separate lobes. Flowers are borne on small panicles on short lateral branches on the end of the twig. The oblong, blue/black fruit is a drupe containing 1 to 4 seeds. Fruit clusters persist through the winter. Mature trees can produce hundreds of fruit.