California Privet
Ligustrum ovalifolium
- Native to:
- Japan
No machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims).
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Genus:
- Ligustrum
- Species:
- Ligustrum ovalifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- LIOV
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia), Calleta silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta), Elegant sphinx (Sphinx perelegans), Franck's sphinx moth (Sphinx franckii), Great Ash Sphinx (Sphinx chersis), Incense Cedar Sphinx (Sphinx libocedrus), Io moth (Automeris io), Lebeau's silk moth (Rothschildia lebeau)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to regions with temperate climates
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; germination may be slow and irregular.