{"assessment":{"band":"Not native","fit_score":null,"native_basis":"not_native","rarity_adjustment":null,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Reported non-native to Virginia.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Virginia percentile","score":null,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":false,"state_rank":"SNA"},"status":"not_native","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:8fc29eaa1226011db20c9c4a7ce1ae96ec94a4b1a3ec82f16f4fa1158093928d","levels":[2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[2,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:cf04cded29bde733d978233826bd22b9f196ca712ac71fcc06b1db24c3c4a531","levels":[1],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[1,1],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_drainage_or_moisture_categories_preserved","source_field":"moisture_categories","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":null,"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"not_native"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["51003","51013","51033","51041","51059","51087","51103","51119","51121","51131","51137","51510","51810"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["51003","51013","51033","51041","51059","51087","51103","51119","51121","51131","51137","51510","51810"],"growth_habit":null,"growth_habit_source":null,"invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":false,"native_basis":"state_source","native_decided_by":"va_atlas","native_evidence":[{"claim":"introduced","flag":"I","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"VA","source":"va_atlas","url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2907"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:I PR:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Native of Japan and Korea.","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"DC-DE-IL-IN-KY-MD-NJ-NY-OH-PA-VA-WV","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","text":"Native of Japan and Korea.","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"alien asterisk: exotic throughout the Flora area","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"AL-AR-DC-DE-FL-GA-KY-LA-MD-MS-NC-NJ-PA-SC-TN-VA-WV","source":"weakley_fsus","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"Native field of the Northern Tier edition; the state is in its distribution","claim":"introduced","record_id":5128,"scope":"DC-DE-IL-IN-KY-MD-NJ-NY-OH-PA-VA-WV","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"VA","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNA","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.150282/Ligustrum_japonicum"}],"native_explanation":"Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (GA-NC-SC), not this state: Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition.","native_provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"va_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"native_status":"not_native","package_native_status":"not_native","source_ids":["va_atlas:VA:2907"],"source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_refs":["gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer","va_atlas"],"source_url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2907","state_rank":"SNA"},"source_refs":["gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer","va_atlas"],"source_url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2907","state_rank":{"value":"SNA"}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[2,4],"moisture":[1,1],"ph":[5.5,6.9]},"fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","ph":"USDA PLANTS"},"fit_record":{"band":"Not native","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:8fc29eaa1226011db20c9c4a7ce1ae96ec94a4b1a3ec82f16f4fa1158093928d","levels":[2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[2,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:cf04cded29bde733d978233826bd22b9f196ca712ac71fcc06b1db24c3c4a531","levels":[1],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[1,1],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_drainage_or_moisture_categories_preserved","source_field":"moisture_categories","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["01003","01013","01029","01035","01055","01075","01081","01085","01097","01101","01105","01107","01109","01119","01121","01131","12001","12019","12031","12035","12039","12041","12055","12057","12065","12073","12077","12081","12085","12095","12103","12105","12123","12127","12129","12133","13275","45003","45015","45017","45019","45063","45079","47065","47093","47157","51003","51013","51033","51041","51059","51087","51103","51119","51121","51131","51137","51510","51810"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[2,4],"moisture":[1,1],"ph":[5.5,6.9]},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","ph":"USDA PLANTS"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":false,"quercus_score":null,"state":"VA"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"growing_observations":{"botanical_review_primary_flower_color":{"matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","review_decision":{"reason":"Single consistent flower-color category across the main reference sources; normalization of existing observations, not a fresh anatomical verification.","sources":["ligustrum-japonicum--usda","ligustrum-japonicum--ncsu_sitemap"],"status":"source_recorded","value":"white"},"review_note":"Single consistent flower-color category across the main reference sources; normalization of existing observations, not a fresh anatomical verification.","review_sources":[{"approved_for_correction":true,"evidence_kind":"existing_structured_source_observation","excerpt":"{\"flower_color\": \"White\"}","retrieved":"2026-09-24","sha256":null,"source_record_id":49821,"title":"USDA PLANTS","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"approved_for_correction":true,"evidence_kind":"existing_structured_source_observation","excerpt":"{\"flower_color\": [\"White\"], \"light\": [\"Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)\", \"Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)\"]}","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_record_id":null,"title":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/"}],"review_status":"source_recorded","source_label":"USDA PLANTS","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/","values":{"primary_flower_color":"white"}},"eol_usda":{"archive_doi":"10.5281/zenodo.22129810","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","retrieved":"2026-09-30","scope":"Nationwide approximate species characteristics; tolerance categories do not specify sun hours or moisture requirements","scoring_allowed":false,"source_label":"USDA PLANTS via EOL TraitBank","source_sha256":"04bb6a5292502ddc757bb909f4151de4b9aaea042223dfb486ffe2a94a2564db","source_url":"http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LIJA","trait_evidence":[{"citation":"The PLANTS Database, United States Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service. http://plants.usda.gov/","eol_page":"https://eol.org/pages/579170","field":"drought_tolerance","method":"Compares the relative tolerance of the plant to drought conditions to other species with the same growth habit from the same geographical region. Drought tolerance is defined here in the following fashion: Imagine that in an acre of land there are low areas that have heavy soil and tend to accumulate more soil moisture, and higher areas that have coarse textured soil and tend to accumulate less soil moisture. Some plant species are most frequently found growing in the higher areas with the coarse soil texture. These plant species are considered to be more drought tolerant than the species that are frequently found in the low areas with fine textured soil.","source_url":"http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LIJA","trait_id":"R133-PK288755687","trait_label":"drought tolerance","value":"medium (normal)"},{"citation":"The PLANTS Database, United States Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service. http://plants.usda.gov/","eol_page":"https://eol.org/pages/579170","field":"moisture_use","method":"","source_url":"http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LIJA","trait_id":"R133-PK288767451","trait_label":"moisture use","value":"low"},{"citation":"The PLANTS Database, United States Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service. http://plants.usda.gov/","eol_page":"https://eol.org/pages/579170","field":"shade_tolerance","method":"","source_url":"http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LIJA","trait_id":"R133-PK288785374","trait_label":"shade tolerance","value":"high tolerance"}],"values":{"drought_tolerance":"medium (normal)","moisture_use":"low","shade_tolerance":"high tolerance"}},"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_record_id":5128,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Disturbed places."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Native of Japan and Korea."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Apr-Jun."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= Ar, Fl6, K1, K4, NcTx, RAB, Va, WH3, Hardin (1974), Nesom (2009a); = n/a — C, Tat]"},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FAC"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"UPL"}]},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt","Attr14":"Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"4","Attr19":"wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F1,F2","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:n,native_nc_mt:n,native_nc_pd:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_mt:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_cp:n,native_ga_mt:n,native_ga_pd:n,","Attr4":" 3-7","Attr5":"s,t","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"opp","Attr9":"sim"}},{"field":"bloom_season","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5128,"source_table":"Organism","value":"April to June"}],"values":{"bloom_season":"April to June","geographic_range_description":"Native of Japan and Korea.","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt","Attr14":"Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"4","Attr19":"wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F1,F2","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:n,native_nc_mt:n,native_nc_pd:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_mt:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_cp:n,native_ga_mt:n,native_ga_pd:n,","Attr4":" 3-7","Attr5":"s,t","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"opp","Attr9":"sim"},"habitat_description":"Disturbed places.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"phenology_source_text":"Apr-Jun.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FAC"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"UPL"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= Ar, Fl6, K1, K4, NcTx, RAB, Va, WH3, Hardin (1974), Nesom (2009a); = n/a — C, Tat]"}},"ncsu_sitemap":{"matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"spread_description","original_field":"spread","record_id":"trait:3d6ee0e0c23de3a9d8ceacc7105306d35747f7c844891e459adb43e1e881a467","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":{"max":6,"min":5,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"moisture_categories","original_field":"soil_moisture","record_id":"trait:3fcec70792b06525902ca7cf191413eaf45cdef303663ebee98b020e7a9ce850","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["Occasionally Dry"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:61a3c95cfa2870ff55d12962064afa2d0f021521c2d263c923c00b7eefad8cea","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["White"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"leaf_habit","original_field":"leaf_habit","record_id":"trait:6d658380ce5aec49851c21acceec56eff4f8893095b1c0445010c291b0115bdd","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["Broadleaf Evergreen"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"soil_ph_categories","original_field":"soil_ph","record_id":"trait:910feb28b8cebcb58c25d71380f6d6c990ba0b59c9c89bc063369a0d9060e49c","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["Alkaline (>8.0)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"light","original_field":"light","record_id":"trait:bda549fb49406d0a04d21c7087596fcd2ab79672d31327de418a9df827cfc4eb","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)","Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"hardiness_zones","original_field":"hardiness","record_id":"trait:e6f7fc22592f0b7355ec1935564e166264f43bf124c0b3a11a6a7805c8fc8324","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:f0ad19278542e9d2fbd2d624fac8dc6b74b7a754e123b3637972a8e9907dd8b8","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":["Woody"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:ffdc60aff3d73d27a32ca12106d5b870eea1897f2f0be26e5ff3762737b4a051","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:38:08.884423+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","source_sha256":"c482bca365980d14d84c03037a89cf145cee5ac118b542461dc0a6aae32ab311","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ligustrum-japonicum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","value":{"max":12,"min":6,"unit":"feet"}}],"values":{"flower_color":["White"],"hardiness_zones":["7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b"],"height_description":"6–12 feet","leaf_habit":["Broadleaf Evergreen"],"life_cycle":["Woody"],"light":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)","Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)"],"moisture_categories":["Occasionally Dry"],"soil_ph_categories":["Alkaline (>8.0)"],"spread_description":"5–6 feet"}},"usda":{"matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","retrieved":"2026-09-24","scope":"Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary","source_label":"USDA PLANTS","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/","usda_id":49821,"values":{"bloom_season":"Summer","flower_color":"White","foliage_color":"Dark Green","fruit_season_begin":"Summer","fruit_season_end":"Fall","growth_architecture":"Multiple Stem","growth_rate":"Rapid","height_ft":10,"leaf_retention":"Yes"}}},"light_range":["part shade","full sun"],"light_source":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"introduced","flag":"I","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"VA","source":"va_atlas","url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2907"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:I PR:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Native of Japan and Korea.","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"DC-DE-IL-IN-KY-MD-NJ-NY-OH-PA-VA-WV","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","text":"Native of Japan and Korea.","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"alien asterisk: exotic throughout the Flora area","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"AL-AR-DC-DE-FL-GA-KY-LA-MD-MS-NC-NJ-PA-SC-TN-VA-WV","source":"weakley_fsus","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"Native field of the Northern Tier edition; the state is in its distribution","claim":"introduced","record_id":5128,"scope":"DC-DE-IL-IN-KY-MD-NJ-NY-OH-PA-VA-WV","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","scope":"VA","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNA","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.150282/Ligustrum_japonicum"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","decided_by":"va_atlas","explanation":"Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (GA-NC-SC), not this state: Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition.","label":"Not native to Virginia","provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"va_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"rule":"fact-hierarchy-2","status":"not_native"},"source_name":"Ligustrum japonicum","taxon_id":"taxon:1af52617-63cb-52e4-b306-307a544017ba","revision":"publish:cdb975f5-333c-4482-92bd-514ef43ee9c3","photos":[{"id":"inat-117683464","src":"/api/photos/image/60d14980ad6e5759a8fa871fafc9d648a485c06fbc841b318853b2eb2e782ed8.jpg","view":"foliage","alt":"Ligustrum japonicum — foliage photograph","width":375,"height":500,"artist":"(c) Liz Crafford, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/117683464","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding.","kind":"photo"}]}