Privet
Ligustrum spp.
- Plant type
- shrub
- Settings
- Landscaped and ornamental, Disturbed ground
- Risk
- Moderate risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Hedge shrub with small opposite leaves, small white flowers in clusters, dark blue to black berries (Merck).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Remove trimmings.
- Limit time.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Glycosides (not well defined)
- Toxic parts
- Leaves, berries
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. Merck lists all production animals; mostly gut upset, death possible.
Signs in goats
Diarrhea, belly pain, staggering, weak pulse (Merck).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
Dark berries hang on through winter (Merck).
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31