Common name: Nilgiri privet. Tamil name: Punku
Nilgiri privet is an endemic (to Western ghats)small tree that grows to around 5 meters. This tree is commonly seen in Western ghats habitat, and prefers altitudes above 1000 msl. The bark of the tree is light in color and lenticulate. The tree is often seen on ghat roads and shola edges. The simple leafs are arranged in an opposite manner, the leaf margin is entire, the leafs are glossy green in color with a smooth texture. The leaf shape is oval-lanceolate; leaf tip is acute and leaf base is rather rounded. The leaf measure around 2.5 cm in length and leaf across measure around 1.2 cm. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal panicle, flowers are waxy, smooth, whitish-cream in color and very fragrant. The individual flower have 4 peta ls which are joined below, and have 4 calyx elements (very small). The flower encloses 2 stamens. The flowers are bisexual and radially symmetric. The fruit is in the form of a drupe. They turn blue-black after they become fully ripe and contain 1-3 seeds. The Ligustrum genus comes under family Oleaceae and is represented by 40-50 species world-over. They typically belong to the semi-evergreen forest habitat. They have simple, opposite leaf arrangement, leaf margin entire and leafs are glossy in texture. The inflorescence is in the form of a panicle and flowers are generally white in color. Nilgiri privet can be positioned tree suitable for small house gardens and parks that are located in Western ghats mountainous areas. The tree is hardly and can thrive even in poor soil conditions.
