Ligustrum ovalifolium var. ovalifolium (Korean privet, "Obaibota")

Japanese name: オオバイボタ （大葉水蝋）
Scientific name: Ligustrum ovalifolium var. ovalifolium

[Overview]
A semi-evergreen shrub or small tree 2–6 m tall, found at forest edges along the coast.
The trunk is erect and branches well; young branches are grayish brown and usually hairless.
Leaves are simple and opposite, 4–12 cm long and 1.5–6 cm wide, with much variation in shape, such as elliptical, ovate or obovate; they are somewhat thick, glossy on the upper surface, with entire margins.
The midrib of the leaf is sunken, the lateral veins are often slightly sunken as well, and the lateral veins can be seen through the leaf when held up to the light.
The petiole is 0.3–0.5 cm long.
Panicles 5–15 cm long and 2–8 cm wide are produced at the branch tips.
The flowers are white and 0.7–0.9 cm long; the corolla is 4-lobed, and the tube is about twice as long as the lobes.
The fruit is almost globose, 0.8 cm long, ripening blackish purple.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It prefers fertile, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade, but grows well without being particular about soil.
It tolerates shade, but if the site is not sunny enough, it flowers poorly and the leaves become sparse.
It is hardy and easy to grow.
Watering is unnecessary unless sunny weather continues in midsummer and the soil becomes severely dry.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary either, but depending on growth, apply a small amount of oil cake as fertilizer in winter.
It also tolerates pruning well.
Pests and diseases include leaf rollers.

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