Chinese Privet (Noun)
Meaning
Erect evergreen treelike shrub of China and Korea and Japan having acuminate leaves and flowers in long erect panicles; resembles Japanese privet.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Chinese privet has become an invasive species in the southeastern United States where it thrives in disturbed areas.
- It's believed that the widespread use of Chinese privet in landscaping and as an ornamental contributed to its escape from cultivation.
- Wildlife rarely feed on the toxic leaves and seeds of the Chinese privet.
- Ecologists fear the long-term ecological damage of letting Chinese privet choke out the region's natural ecosystems.
- Rapid reproduction is thought to contribute to Chinese privet's competitive ability, giving it a greater success as an invasive plant than non-native ornamentals with longer reproduction periods.