Appearance

Growth form

A dense evergreen shrub or small tree, about 6½–16 ft (2–5 m) tall; planted hedge shrubs in Florida are often 8–12 ft (2.5–3.5 m) and wider than tall.

Leaves

Opposite, thick, leathery leaves about 2–4 in (5–10 cm) long, glossy dark green above and paler below, with smooth edges.

Flowers

Small white flowers in loose, pyramid-shaped clusters at the branch tips. They have an unpleasant smell.

Flowering time

Spring in the Deep South, summer farther north.

Fruit

Oval, purple-black berries about 1/4–3/8 in (6–10 mm) long, often with a waxy bloom. They can hang on the plant for months.

Look-alikes

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• hedges and yards
• parks and streets
• woods near plantings

Range

Native to central and southern Japan and Korea. In the US it is naturalized in the Southeast from Texas to Virginia and in California.

Preferred conditions

Hardy in USDA zones 7b–10a.

Life cycle

Seed dispersal

Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds, which is how it escapes into natural areas.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms

Garden centers sell cultivars such as the compact, round-leaved 'Rotundifolium'.

Conservation

Threats

It has escaped from cultivation and is considered invasive in parts of the American South. In Florida it is not currently ranked as a problem species.