Common Name:

General Information

Ligustrum robustum is an evergreen shrub or a small tree usually growing up to 10 metres tall, though some old specimens in Sri Lanka have been recorded as 15 metres or more tall with trunks more than 200cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of various materials, and can be grown within its native range as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodland. It is widely grown as an ornamental and hedging plant, valued especially for its panicles of white flowers, its ease of growth, freedom from pests and ability to withstand difficult conditions including the pollution of cities[].
Ligustrum robustum consists of the species plus two recognised subspecies. Subspecies walkeri is one of the most serious invasive species in the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and La Réunion where it is having a direct negative impact on forest biodiversity. Seeds in both islands are thought to be dispersed almost entirely by a bird which is another introduced species, the red-whiskered bulbul, Pycnotus jocosus. The plant is already one of the dominant species in remnant Mauritian native forests and is expected to become the same in La Réunion if control efforts are unsuccessful[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam

Habitat

Forest edges, along roadsides, riverside embankments as well as in gardens[]. Wet and intermediate low montane regions, often along streams; at elevations fromt 450 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Butterflies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ligustrum robustum is a plant of the moist tropics, growing in areas where the mean annual temperature is within the range 16 - 24°c, and the mean annual rainfall is between 1,734 - 2,650mm[].
Found on sandy, well-drained soils and also on heavier clay soils in the wild[].
The plant is capable of germinating and then growing up from heavily shaded forest floors. However, whilst it grows well even in heavy shade when young, it requires more sunlight and a more open position as it grows larger[].
Outside its native range the plant is able to rapidly establish even in mature native forest following any disturbance event[].
The white panicles of flowers are sweet-scented[].
Fast-growing when young, the plant is able to start producing seed when around 4 - 7 years old[].
Trees can live for more than 100 years[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The tender leaves and flowers are used in southwest India as a blood purifier and to treat gastric conditions, coughs, weakness, paralysis and skin diseases[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds well to trimming and also to severe pruning. It makes a good, fast-growing hedge and is much planted for this purpose in the tropics[].
The plant can quickly invade and become established in disturbed areas (such as after forest clearance) and is thus an excellent species for use as a pioneer in restoring native woodland. It should only be used within its native range, however, because of its ability to invade non-native areas and outcompete the native vagetation[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is hard, and is used in its native range in traditional house construction, to make tool handles, brooms for separating chaff from wheat etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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