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Ligustrum obtusifolium

Border Privet

Family OleaceaeGenus Ligustrum

A long hedge of arching leafy shrubs spilling over a boulder wall beside a paved road
The whole plantSten PorseCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Habit
shrubPlants of the World Online

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Source: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Worth knowing

  • Ligustrum means "binder", a name used by Pliny and Virgil. Border privet, from Japan, Korea and China, is considered invasive in parts of the United States, and with Ligustrum ovalifolium it is a parent of the widespread hybrid Ligustrum × ibolium. Wikipedia: Ligustrum obtusifolium

This source reports 6 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 9, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 8, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 91 days to germinate.

100% germination in 91 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167Public domain
Show the original text
Ligustrum (Oleaceae). L. obtusifolium has naturalized extensively in central Pennsylvania. The seed was collected in December and WC as with all berries. Germination rates were increased by DS. Fresh seed germ. 70(2%)-40-70(82% in 12-15 w) and 40(5%)- 70(84% in 13th w)-40(5%). Seed DS 6 m 70 germ. 70(100% in 13th w) and 40(4%)- 70(4%)-40-70. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 11-13 w) and 40(4%)-70(58%)- 40(15%)-70(19%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 in the dried fruit germ. about the same percentage (but lower rate) as seed DS in the WC state. Note the long induction time of 12w in the germination in a cycle at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 9, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 8, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 91 days to germinate.

100% germination in 77–91 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167Public domain
Show the original text
Ligustrum (Oleaceae). L. obtusifolium has naturalized extensively in central Pennsylvania. The seed was collected in December and WC as with all berries. Germination rates were increased by DS. Fresh seed germ. 70(2%)-40-70(82% in 12-15 w) and 40(5%)- 70(84% in 13th w)-40(5%). Seed DS 6 m 70 germ. 70(100% in 13th w) and 40(4%)- 70(4%)-40-70. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 11-13 w) and 40(4%)-70(58%)- 40(15%)-70(19%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 in the dried fruit germ. about the same percentage (but lower rate) as seed DS in the WC state. Note the long induction time of 12w in the germination in a cycle at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 7, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 6, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 91 days.

84% germination in 91 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167Public domain
Show the original text
Ligustrum (Oleaceae). L. obtusifolium has naturalized extensively in central Pennsylvania. The seed was collected in December and WC as with all berries. Germination rates were increased by DS. Fresh seed germ. 70(2%)-40-70(82% in 12-15 w) and 40(5%)- 70(84% in 13th w)-40(5%). Seed DS 6 m 70 germ. 70(100% in 13th w) and 40(4%)- 70(4%)-40-70. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 11-13 w) and 40(4%)-70(58%)- 40(15%)-70(19%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 in the dried fruit germ. about the same percentage (but lower rate) as seed DS in the WC state. Note the long induction time of 12w in the germination in a cycle at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 24, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 105 days.

82% germination in 84–105 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167Public domain
Show the original text
Ligustrum (Oleaceae). L. obtusifolium has naturalized extensively in central Pennsylvania. The seed was collected in December and WC as with all berries. Germination rates were increased by DS. Fresh seed germ. 70(2%)-40-70(82% in 12-15 w) and 40(5%)- 70(84% in 13th w)-40(5%). Seed DS 6 m 70 germ. 70(100% in 13th w) and 40(4%)- 70(4%)-40-70. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 11-13 w) and 40(4%)-70(58%)- 40(15%)-70(19%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 in the dried fruit germ. about the same percentage (but lower rate) as seed DS in the WC state. Note the long induction time of 12w in the germination in a cycle at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    19 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

58% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167Public domain
Show the original text
Ligustrum (Oleaceae). L. obtusifolium has naturalized extensively in central Pennsylvania. The seed was collected in December and WC as with all berries. Germination rates were increased by DS. Fresh seed germ. 70(2%)-40-70(82% in 12-15 w) and 40(5%)- 70(84% in 13th w)-40(5%). Seed DS 6 m 70 germ. 70(100% in 13th w) and 40(4%)- 70(4%)-40-70. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 11-13 w) and 40(4%)-70(58%)- 40(15%)-70(19%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 in the dried fruit germ. about the same percentage (but lower rate) as seed DS in the WC state. Note the long induction time of 12w in the germination in a cycle at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167Public domain
Show the original text
Ligustrum (Oleaceae). L. obtusifolium has naturalized extensively in central Pennsylvania. The seed was collected in December and WC as with all berries. Germination rates were increased by DS. Fresh seed germ. 70(2%)-40-70(82% in 12-15 w) and 40(5%)- 70(84% in 13th w)-40(5%). Seed DS 6 m 70 germ. 70(100% in 13th w) and 40(4%)- 70(4%)-40-70. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 11-13 w) and 40(4%)-70(58%)- 40(15%)-70(19%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 in the dried fruit germ. about the same percentage (but lower rate) as seed DS in the WC state. Note the long induction time of 12w in the germination in a cycle at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ligustrum p. 167. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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