2. Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. (California privet)

Pl. 460 k; Map 2103

Plants 1–3(–5) m tall, often forming thickets, the main stems usually numerous, ascending to somewhat arched, with usually ascending branches. Twigs glabrous, the new growth grayish green, becoming gray or grayish brown with sparse, pale lenticels. Winter buds with the scales tawny to brown, glabrous. Petioles 1–5 mm long, glabrous, narrowly to broadly winged. Leaf blades 2–6 cm long, 7–25 mm wide, relatively thick and leathery, elliptic to ovate or oblong-ovate, angled or slightly tapered to a sharply but sometimes broadly pointed tip, the upper surface glabrous, shiny, the undersurface glabrous, usually faintly gland-dotted. Inflorescences stiff, erect or ascending, relatively broad panicles, 4–10 cm long, with numerous flowers. Calyces glabrous. Corollas 6–9 mm long, the tube 2–3 times as long as the lobes, white or cream-colored (especially while in bud). Stamens short-exserted. 2n=46. May–July.

Introduced, known thus far only from single collections from Butler, Howell, and Ripley Counties (native of Asia, introduced sporadically in the southeastern U.S.). Edges of fens and mesic upland forests; also roadsides and banks of ditches.

This privet is used horticulturally for border, hedge, or screen planting, including cultivars featuring variegated leaves and compact growth form, but its winter hardiness is questionable in our region. Steyermark (1963) originally included L. ovalifolium in the Missouri flora based on a 1957 specimen that he collected in Texas County, but this specimen could not be located during the present research. The three specimens accepted in the present treatment were all collected subsequent to Steyermark’s first report.