L. JAPONICUM (syns L. glabrum, L. Kellennanni, L. Sieboldii and L. syringaeflorum).—­Japan Privet.  This is a dwarf-growing species rarely exceeding 4 feet in height, with broad, smooth, glossy-green leaves, and large compound racemes of flowers.  There are several varieties, including L. japonicum microphyllum, with smaller leaves than the parent; and one with tricoloured foliage and named L. japonicum variegatum.

L. LUCIDUM (syns L. magnoliaefolium and L. strictum).—­Shining-leaved Privet, or Woa Tree.  China, 1794.  A pretty evergreen species, with oval leaves, and terminal, thyrsoid panicles of white flowers.  It is an old inhabitant of our gardens, and forms a somewhat erect, twiggy bush, of fully 10 feet in height.  Of this there are two varieties, one with larger bunches of flowers, and named L. lucidum floribundum, and another with variegated leaves, L. lucidum variegatum.  L. lucidum coriaceum (Leathery-leaved Privet) is a distinct variety, with thick, leathery-green leaves, and dense habit of growth.

L. OVALIFOLIUM (syn L. californicum).—­Oval-leaved Privet.  Japan, 1877.  This is a commonly-cultivated species, with semi-evergreen leaves, and spikes of yellowish-white flowers.  It is a good hedge plant, and succeeds well as a town shrub.  There are several variegated forms, of which L. ovalifolium variegatum (Japan, 1865) and L. ovalifolium aureum are the best.

L. QUIHOI.—­China, 1868.  This is a much valued species, as it does not flower until most of its relations have finished.  Most of the Privets flower at mid-summer, but this species is often only at its best by the last week of October and beginning of November.  It forms a straggling freely-branched shrub, of fully 6 feet in height and nearly as much through, with dark shining-green oblong leaves, and loose terminal panicles of pure white, powerfully-scented flowers.  It flourishes, like most of the Privets, on poor soil, and is a little-known species that note should be made of during the planting season.

L. SINENSE (syns L. villosum and L.  Ibota villosum).—­Chinese Privet.  China, 1858.  This is a tall deciduous shrub, with oblong and tomentose leaves, and flowers in loose, terminal panicles and produced freely in August.  L. sinense nanum is one of the prettiest forms in cultivation.  It is almost evergreen, with a horizontal mode of growth, and dense spikes of crearny-white flowers, so thickly produced as almost to hide the foliage from view.  It is a most distinct and desirable variety.

L. VULGARE.—­Common Privet.  Although one of our commonest shrubs, this Privet can hardly be passed unnoticed, for the spikes of creamy-white flowers, that are deliciously scented, are both handsome and effective.  Of the common Privet there are several distinct and highly ornamental forms, such as L. vulgare variegatum, L. vulgare pendulum, having curiously-creeping branches, and the better-known and valuable L. vulgare sempervirens (syn L. italicum), the Italian Privet.