Looks like some privet, Ligustrum, not sure which species

Ligustrum lucidum

"Glossy privet is a plant. The ripe fruit is used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) with other species of privet such as Japanese privet, border privet, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), common privet, golden privet, and others.
Glossy privet is used for promoting growth and darkening of hair, reducing facial dark spots, rapid heartbeat (palpitations), achy joints (rheumatism), swelling, tumors, dizziness (vertigo), common cold, congestion, constipation, deafness, fever, headache, liver disease (hepatitis), trouble sleeping (insomnia), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), promoting youthfulness, and extending lifespan. It is also used to induce sweating, as a tonic, for improving immune function, and for reducing the side effects of cancer treatment (chemotherapy). Glossy privet is also used for blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and sore back and knees."

So, how do you make a positive ID that it is GLOSSY Privet (Ligustrum lucidum)...and not any of the other species?

Here is a link that might be useful: Glossy Privet

This post was edited by blakrab on Tue, Dec 16, 14 at 20:08

the shear fact.. that it is all over the fence line.. as you claim ... makes me think.. the specific ID is irrelevant ....

indicates to me.. its an invasive weed ... whether it fits within the scientific definition of such.. or not...

get rid of them all ... or they will .. eventually.. fill the whole yard ...

the bottom line.. is that birds land on fences ... after apparently eating the berries of nearby plants... and carp their brains out ... while sitting on the fence... what more do you need to know ... lol ...

when i got my first house.. every free plant... provided by mother nature.. was a blessing ... boy was i wrong.. lol

ken

Well, it would make a difference because the Glossy Privet actually may have some potent medicinal uses...and so might be worth keeping just 1 around...

Whereas all the other species should probably just all be removed on sight, lol..

Anyhow, the difference is apparently that the Glossy Privet has larger, thinner leaves that range from 3"-6" long and 2"-4" wide. Whereas the most similar Japanese Privet has thicker leaves that are only about 2" long.
http://www.extension.org/pages/62635/ligustrum-lucidum-glossy-privet#.VJGiw3uS8-0

dtrade83 - How long are its leaves?

Glossy Privet (Ligustrum lucidum):
http://lh2treeid.blogspot.com/2010/03/ligustrum-lucidum-glossy-privet.html
http://bushcraftoz.com/forums/showthread.php?985-Ligustrum-lucidum-%28Broad-Leaf-Privet%29

Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum):
http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/ole/ligustrum_japonicum.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Ligustrum lucidum

Ligutrum lucidum may well have some medicinal uses but that doesn't mean the OP should even consider experimenting with it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ligustrum lucidum

How can a plant have that many unrelated medicinal uses? That can't be, so the whole list is highly suspicious.
If Glossy Private can treat that many ailments, everybody would be growing it, and the pharmaceuticals would be all over it.
Folklore medicine is over rated in my opinion. Waay over rated. Most of it is hearsay. Where's the science?
Mike...A lifetime of growing plants has made me suspicious of volunteers and free plants and their 'uses'.