Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.

Upright shrub to c. 5 m high, glabrous except for infl., evergreen except in coldest areas. Shoots glabrous. Petioles < 5 mm long. Lamina 3–7–(9) × 1.5–4 cm, ovate to elliptic, shining above; base cuneate; apex obtuse or acute, often mucronate. Panicles to c. 15 × 10 cm, dense, broad-pyramidal; branches ± puberulent, ridged; pedicels short. Fls very fragrant. Bracts ovate or lanceolate; bracteoles 2, ± ovate, persisting after flowering. Calyx 1.5–2 mm long, glabrous, truncate or very shallowly lobed. Corolla white; tube 4.5–6 mm long; lobes 2–2.5 mm long, elliptic-ovate, acute, reflexed. Stamens exserted, = or slightly < length of corolla lobes; anthers yellow. Style included, 1/2–3/4 length of corolla tube. Fr. 5–7 mm diam., subglobose, purplish black. Seed c. 4 mm long, ± ellipsoid, ribbed on back.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.