Ligustrum lucidum

Native to China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, Korea, and Myanmar and nearby regions, this is a tree in the Oleaceae family. It is an evergreen tree. It is now an ornamental tree worldwide with areputation for being highly invasive, in subtropical and temperate areas globally. The primary factors contributing to its aggressive colonization include its prolific seed production, bird-dispersed fruits, high germination rates, robust resprouting capacity, and fast growth rates coupled with its ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions​. The clusters of creamy white, fragrant flowers it produces are often seen as an attractive feature, albeit some find the scent unpleasant. In vitro and animal studies have hinted at its potential antioxidant, antitumor, and immune-boosting properties. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.