Upland swamp privet, Forestiera ligustrina, as the specific
epithet suggest is easily mistaken for the invasive exotic Chinese privet,
Ligustrum sinense.The few keys include
habitat which is at least near limestone, and slight differences in form,
flower, fruit, and leaf.The place where
I have seen it most abundantly is MonteSanoState
Park where it seems more abundant than the
Chinese privet, which could be a disaster in case an uninformed
invasive exotic control program is undertaken there and privet is included on the list.Another species, eastern swamp privet, F. acuminata, is also known as stretch
berry due to the elongated rather than round fruits.
