Family: Oleaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in temperate to subtropical climates, and elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Naturalized on Hawaii Island, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mozambique, and South Africa
  
• An environmental weed in Australia and Argentina
  
• Other Ligustrum species are invasive
  
• Toxic to animals (horses) and people
  
• Host of pathogens
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands, excluding other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by suckering
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, ants, water, dumped garden waste and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific fruit and seed production
  
• Seeds can persist in the soil for 1-2.5 years
  
• Able resprout from cut stumps without herbicide treatment

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Browsed by deer, pigs and sheep (palatable despite reports of toxicity)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Reaches maturity in 4+ years
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control