Family: Oleaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in temperate to subtropical climates, and elevation range exceeds 2500 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Naturalized in several locations, including Kauai and Hawaii islands
- Agricultural and environmental weed
- Other Ligustrum species are invasive
- Potentially allelopathic
- Toxic to animals and people
- Host of pathogens
- Shade-tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense stands, excluding other vegetation
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by suckering
- Partial self-compatibility
- Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, water and intentionally by people
- Prolific seed production
- Able resprout after cutting and fire
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Browsed by deer and other animals (palatable despite reports of toxicity)
- Ornamental
- Reaches maturity in 4+ years
- Seeds lose viability after 12 months
- Herbicides may provide effective control