Nu Zhen Zi

Ligustrum lucidum is an evergreen tree or large shrub in the Oleaceae, native to central and southern China and now widely planted as an ornamental and street tree across much of the temperate world, where it can become invasive. Mature trees reach 8-15 m tall, with a broad, dense, rounded crown and smooth, pale grey bark that becomes finely fissured with age. The opposite, leathery leaves are ovate to broadly lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with entire margins and a long acuminate tip. In summer the species produces large, terminal, pyramidal panicles of small, creamy-white, strongly fragrant flowers with four reflexed petals. These are followed by abundant clusters of ellipsoid, blue-black, glaucous drupes 7-10 mm long, persisting through winter. It tolerates a wide range of soils and prefers full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained sites.