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Name That Plant!

Shrub with leaves that turn satiny black

16 years ago

Could anyone please identify this shrub for me? The photo is linked. A long time ago I fell in love with a very similar shrub whose leaves turned a satiny black. If there are different cultivars, I'd love to have the one that turns black for my new landscape. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Here is a link that might be useful: I want this plant!

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Comments (9)

Embothrium
16 years ago
Looks like a privet (Ligustrum).
Iris GW
16 years ago
It's hard to tell from the picture but are the leaves arranged in opposite pairs on the stem or alternately?
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remy_gw
16 years ago
From the look of the plant you posted, my guess is you are interested in a Cotinus (Purple Smoke Bush.)
Remy

Here is a link that might be useful: Purple Smoke Bush Google Photos
raiuchka
Original Author
16 years ago
Esh, the leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on the stem, but the orientation of the pairs varies. I drove over to my old neighborhood today to find the original plant. I think I found it. Two photos linked below; one of the overall growth habit, one of a branch.

Full plant
Closer view of branch

Remy, thanks - I do love the Purple Smoke Bush, but this plant is not it. Bboy, it could be a privet. I found pictures online of various kinds of privet and I can't say it's not a privet, but I didn't find any mention of privets whose foliage turns black.

Hopefully the better photos I've linked of a better example of the plant will be useful...

thank you!
Embothrium
16 years ago
Still a privet.
Iris GW
16 years ago
Which privet do you think it is? Doesn't look like Ligustrum japonicum, although the bark is certainly similar.

Raiuchka, where is the plant located (what state)?
raiuchka
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for narrowing it down for me to privet! These plants are located in Seattle, Washington. Both specimens are in urban neighborhoods.

Thank you!
Embothrium
16 years ago
Some privets seen in Seattle are LL. japonicum, lucidum, ovalifolium and vulgare. Yours is probably L. ovalifolium, L. vulgare is similar but has straight-sided leaves.
raiuchka
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you!

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