What is the difference between glossy privet and Chinese photinia? A quick guide to telling them apart

1. Leaf differences

The leaves of glossy privet are long ovate, ovate, or elliptical to broadly elliptical, leathery, with a sharp tip becoming acuminate, a rounded or nearly rounded base, and a relatively flat margin, hairless, very glossy on the upper surface; the petiole is about 1-3 cm long, grooved on the upper side, hairless.

The leaves of Chinese photinia are long obovate, obovate-elliptical, or long elliptical, also leathery, with a caudate tip, a broad wedge-shaped or rounded base, and a serrated margin; they are hairy at first and shed the hairs as they grow later; the petiole is relatively stout, 2-4 cm, also hairy at first and then losing the hairs.

2. Fruit differences

The fruit of glossy privet is kidney-shaped or nearly kidney-shaped, deep blue-black in color, turning red-black when ripe, with a white bloom. The fruiting period is from after July to May of the following year.

The fruit of Chinese photinia is spherical, red turning brownish-purple. The fruiting period is from October to November.