Small-leaved privet

How to identify a small-leaved privet

Look for small, oval leaves 2 to 7 cm long, set in opposite pairs along the stems. The young twigs and the leaf undersides are finely hairy, which helps separate it from broad-leaved privet, whose new stems are smooth and whose leaves are larger. In late winter and spring it carries dense sprays of tiny, heavily scented white to cream flowers at the branch tips. Clusters of small round berries follow, green at first and ripening blue-black. When it isn't flowering or fruiting it can be mistaken for natives such as lilly pillies or the cheese tree.

Growing a small-leaved privet in Brisbane

Small-leaved privet is most common in South East Queensland and coastal New South Wales, and it ranks among the 25 most invasive plants in our region. It copes with shade, so seedlings can come up under trees, along fence lines and in gullies, and it does best on moist, fertile soil near creeks. Garden hedges are a key seed source, because birds carry the berries into bushland. If you have an old privet hedge, a native screen is a better long-term choice.

What to watch out for

This is a restricted invasive plant, so never dump clippings or berries in bushland or green waste piles. The leaves and berries are poisonous if eaten, so keep children and livestock away from fruiting plants. The flowers can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Cut stems and damaged roots sprout again, so removal usually needs follow-up. Large, overgrown hedges along fences or near buildings are a job for a tree service with the right gear.

• Poisonous parts. The leaves and berries are poisonous if eaten, both to people and to livestock.
• Allergies. The masses of strongly scented flowers can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people.
• Seedlings. Birds eat the berries and drop the seeds, so seedlings come up in gardens, along fences and in bushland.

Pruning and care

If an existing hedge stays for now, trimming off the flower sprays before berries form stops birds spreading the seed. Bag clippings and berries for the general waste bin rather than dumping them. Pull small seedlings by hand after rain and get the whole root out, because a broken root regrows. Larger plants are usually cut down and the stump treated straight away with a registered herbicide, as cut stems resprout. Check for suckers and regrowth for a few seasons afterwards.

• Tree removal
• Stump grinding