privet

privet
/priv"it/, n.
any of various deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Ligustrum, esp. L. vulgare, having clusters of small white flowers and commonly grown as a hedge.
[1535-45; orig. uncert.]

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Any of about 40–50 species of shrubs and small trees in the genus Ligustrum of the olive family that are widely used for hedges, screens, and ornamental plantings.

Native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean, these evergreen or deciduous plants have usually oval, smooth-edged leaves; creamy-white, often odorous clusters of flowers; and black berries. The hardy common privet (L. vulgare), native to northeastern Europe and Britain and naturalized in northeastern North America, is used widely as a hedge plant. Mock privets belong to the genus Phillyrea (same family) and bear small, bright-red fruits that turn purple-black as they mature.

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plant
      any of about 40 to 50 species of shrubs and small trees belonging to the genus Ligustrum of the family Oleaceae that are widely used for hedges, screens, and ornamental plantings. Privets—native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean region—are evergreen or deciduous plants with opposite, usually oval, smooth-margined leaves; creamy-white, often odorous, terminal clusters of flowers; and one- to four-seeded black berries.

      The hardy common privet (L. vulgare), native to northeastern Europe and Great Britain and naturalized in northeastern North America, is widely used as a hedge plant. It reaches about 4.5 m (15 feet). Glossy privet (L. lucidum), from eastern Asia, is a 9-metre tree in areas with mild winters. It has 25-centimetre (10-inch) flower clusters in summer. Japanese privet (L. japonicum), about 4.7 m tall, has very glossy leaves. It also requires mild winters, as does the smaller leaved California privet (L. ovalifolium) from Japan, commonly grown as a hedge plant. All four species have variegated forms.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
, (Ligustrum vulgare)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Privet — Priv et, n. [Cf. Scot. privie, Prov. E. prim print, primwort. Prob. for primet, and perh. named from being cut and trimmed. See, {Prim}, a., and cf. {Prime} to prune, {Prim}, n., {Prie}, n.] (Bot.) An ornamental European shrub ({Ligustrum… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • privet — [priv′it] n. [< ?] any of a genus (Ligustrum) of shrubs or trees of the olive family, with bluish black berries and spikes of white flowers, often grown for hedges; esp., the common privet ( L. vulgare) …   English World dictionary

  • Privet — (Bank.), so v.w. Abtritt 2) …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Privet — (spr. wä, mittellat. Privatum, franz. Privé), geheimes Gemach; Abtritt (s. d.) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • privet — type of evergreen shrub, 1540s, of unknown origin. Early forms primet, primprint perhaps suggest some connection with prime …   Etymology dictionary

  • privet — ► NOUN ▪ a shrub with small white flowers and poisonous black berries. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • Privet — This article is about the privet plant in the genus Ligustrum . Privet may also refer to plants in two other genera in family Oleaceae: Forestiera ( Swamp privet ) and Phillyrea ( Mock privet ). Taxobox name = Privet image width = 240px image… …   Wikipedia

  • privet — paprastasis ligustras statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Alyvmedinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, vaistinis nuodingas augalas (Ligustrum vulgare), paplitęs šiaurės Afrikoje, pietų Europoje ir pietvakarių Azijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Ligustrum vulgare… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • privet — [[t]prɪ̱vɪt[/t]] N UNCOUNT Privet is a type of bush with small leaves that stay green all year round. It is often grown in gardens to form hedges. The garden was enclosed by a privet hedge …   English dictionary

  • privet — UK [ˈprɪvət] / US noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms privet : singular privet plural privets a bush with small, dark green leaves that is often used for hedges …   English dictionary

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