Atago Forest and Green Protection Association

Tang privet or Tang maiden. An evergreen tree of the genus Ligustrum in the family Oleaceae. A naturalized plant native to central and southern China that entered the early Meiji era. It has been spreading rapidly in recent years and is listed as an alien species to prevent damage to ecosystems. The Japanese name means a tree with leaves similar to ilex, which is a fruit similar to rat droppings from China (Tow). The flowering season is from June to July. The fruit is used as a herbal medicine with a tonic effect.

It looks just like the native mouse mochi, with slightly larger fruits and leaves. The distinction can be made by the appearance of the veins when the leaves are turned over and exposed to light. The main and side veins can be seen through the privet, and the side veins cannot be seen. When the fruit is growing, the reddish color of the fruit stalk (stem with the fruit) is the privet, and the gray one is the privet.