Upland swampprivet

Description

This native deciduous shrub is uncommon but found in widely scattered localities on well-drained or rocky sites from South Carolina to Texas. As both the common and scientific names suggest, it resembles and is related to privet (Ligustrum). It produces small yellow flowers witnout petals in spring. The fruit is a small purple berry. It is an interesting and attrative native shrub little-known in the wild or in cultivation. It could be a substitute for the exotic and invasive privet.