Ligustrum sinense Lour.

Shrub or small tree to c. 5 m high, evergreen, or semi-deciduous in cold districts. Shoots densely hairy. Petioles to 5 mm long, hairy. Lamina 2.5–6–(7) × 1.25–2.5–(3.5) cm, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, dull green above, hairy on midrib beneath and usually above in lower part, ciliolate when young; base broad-cuneate; apex usually obtuse. Panicles to c. 10 cm long, rather loose; branches densely hairy, somewhat flattened, ± angular; pedicels short. Bracts and bracteoles linear to oblong, caducous. Fls very fragrant. Calyx 1–2 mm long, glabrous or nearly so; lobes very shallow. Corolla white; tube 1.5–2 mm long, slightly > calyx; lobes c. 3–(3.5) mm long, elliptic-ovate, spreading, subacute. Stamens = or slightly < corolla lobes; anthers pinkish mauve or purple. Style exserted. Fr. 4–6 mm diam., globose or subglobose, dull black or purplish black. Seed 3–4 mm long, oblong, shallowly grooved.

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

Flowering: Jul.–Mar.