Common privet-Ligustrum vulgare L.-Poisonous plant

Common privet

General poisoning notes:

Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is an ornamental shrub that is often planted as a hedge, and therefore the flowers and berries are trimmed. In older European literature, ingesting the berries has been noted to cause sickness in children. In more recent cases of ingestion by children, symptoms included only vomiting and diarrhea, after up to 12 berries were eaten (Frohne and Pfander 1983). Reynard and Norton (1942) cite the case of sheep that died after ingesting the trimmings from a hedge of a related privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Ligustrum vulgare L.

Vernacular name(s): common privet

Scientific family name: Oleaceae

Vernacular family name: olive

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

mature fruit

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Unknown chemicals are involved in common privet poisoning. Frohne and Pfander (1983) note that lignan glycosides, saponins, and seco- iridoid bitter substances are likely involved.

Toxic plant chemicals:

unknown chemical

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Diarrhea, vomiting.

Notes on poisoning:

In recent reports the berries of common privet produced symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting only. In older literature, death was reported. Gastroenteritis may persist for 48-72 h. (Frohne and Pfander 1983, Lampe and McCann 1985).